CVE-2021-28615 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 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 versions contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that stems from insufficient input validation during file parsing operations. This flaw resides in the application's handling of specially crafted files that trigger memory access violations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability manifests when the software attempts to parse malformed input data without proper bounds checking, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns that could reveal sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations. The issue is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during file processing operations. From an operational perspective this vulnerability represents a significant risk to users who may encounter maliciously crafted After Effects project files in email attachments, file sharing platforms, or compromised websites where the application automatically processes content.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction since the malicious file must be opened by the victim within the After Effects application environment. This user interaction requirement aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 which involves executing malicious code through legitimate user interaction with malicious files. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening specially crafted .aep files that contain malformed data structures designed to trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. When the application attempts to parse these malicious structures, it accesses memory locations that contain sensitive data such as encryption keys, user credentials, or application state information. The disclosed memory information could potentially include cryptographic material, internal application data, or even portions of other running processes that share memory space with After Effects. This type of information disclosure vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation or further exploitation of the compromised system.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple information disclosure since it provides attackers with potential insights into the application's memory layout and internal state. The out-of-bounds read can expose memory addresses, stack contents, or heap data that may reveal patterns useful for developing more advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects users across multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms where After Effects is installed, making it a widespread concern for creative professionals and organizations that rely on Adobe's creative suite. Organizations should consider implementing network-based protections such as email filtering and web content restrictions to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious files. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in multimedia processing applications where complex file formats are parsed. Users should be educated about the risks of opening unknown or untrusted files, particularly those encountered through email attachments or file sharing services. The recommended mitigation includes immediate updating to Adobe After Effects version 18.3 or later, which contains patches addressing this specific out-of-bounds read condition. Security administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted files and monitor for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening suspicious files and the importance of verifying file sources before opening them in creative applications.