CVE-2021-28610 in After Effects
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2021
Adobe After Effects version 18.2 (and earlier) is affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2025
Adobe After Effects version 18.2 and earlier contains a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the application's file parsing functionality. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes specially crafted files that contain malformed data structures, particularly within the parsing logic that handles various media file formats and project files. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the software's file processing pipeline, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate memory allocation patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. This means that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise without requiring additional authentication or elevated privileges. The attack vector requires user interaction through opening a malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently handle multimedia projects from external sources or collaborate on shared workspaces. The vulnerability's exploitation process involves carefully crafted file structures that trigger the buffer overflow during parsing operations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the application's memory space. This type of attack aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to establish persistent access through code execution capabilities.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe given After Effects' widespread use in creative industries where users regularly exchange project files and assets. Attackers could leverage this weakness to deliver malware through seemingly legitimate project files, potentially compromising entire creative workflows and exposing sensitive intellectual property. Organizations using Adobe After Effects should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing strict file validation policies, and establishing user education programs to prevent opening untrusted files. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual file access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input sanitization and memory safety practices in multimedia applications, as similar flaws could exist in other creative software products that process complex file formats. Organizations should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for file processing operations and maintain regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their software portfolio.