CVE-2021-28612 in After Effects
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2021
Adobe After Effects version 18.2 (and earlier) is affected by an Our-of-bounds Read vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to disclose sensitive memory information and cause a denial of service 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 critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that stems from insufficient input validation during file parsing operations. This flaw manifests when the application processes a specially crafted malicious file that contains malformed data structures. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-125 out-of-bounds read condition where the software attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The root cause lies in the application's failure to properly validate array indices or buffer limits when processing user-supplied data during the file parsing phase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system stability compromise and denial of service conditions. When a malicious file is opened, the application's memory management routines execute operations that traverse unauthorized memory segments, potentially exposing sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system configuration details. The vulnerability operates within the context of the current user account, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to information leakage that might be leveraged in subsequent attack phases. The requirement for user interaction through file opening creates a realistic attack vector that aligns with common social engineering tactics.
This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers could craft malicious After Effects files designed to exploit this weakness during normal user workflows. The memory disclosure aspect provides attackers with potential insights into the application's internal state and memory layout, which could be used to refine subsequent exploitation attempts. The denial of service component creates a reliable means of disrupting legitimate user operations and potentially masking more sophisticated attacks. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of broader attack surface management strategies, particularly in environments where creative professionals regularly handle external media files. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk, though requiring user interaction, represents a significant security concern for enterprise environments where file handling workflows are common.
The recommended mitigations include immediate patch deployment to Adobe After Effects version 18.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies, particularly for creative assets received from external sources. Network-based controls such as email filtering and web proxies can help prevent initial delivery of malicious files. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted files remains critical, as this vulnerability requires human interaction to be exploited successfully. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should include verification of application integrity and proper patch management procedures.