CVE-2021-28617 in Animate
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2021
Adobe Animate version 21.0.6 (and earlier) is affected by an Out-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 Animate version 21.0.6 and earlier contains a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability classified as CVE-2021-28617 that arises during the parsing of specially crafted files. This vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the application's file parsing logic, specifically when processing malformed or malicious input files. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds memory read operation that allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system information stored in adjacent memory segments. The vulnerability resides in the application's handling of file format parsing routines and represents a classic example of a memory safety issue that falls under CWE-129, which encompasses improper validation of array indices. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious files designed to trigger the vulnerable parsing code path, requiring only that a victim open the crafted file with Adobe Animate. The exploitation process necessitates user interaction, as the vulnerability cannot be triggered remotely without user engagement, making it a client-side attack vector that relies on social engineering or phishing techniques to deliver malicious payloads. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves executing malicious code through the use of scripting languages or applications, and specifically targets the application's file processing capabilities to achieve information disclosure objectives.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-28617 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive memory information that can be accessed may include confidential data that could be leveraged for further attacks within the victim's environment. The vulnerability affects users who regularly work with multimedia files and animations, particularly those who may unknowingly open malicious files through email attachments, file sharing platforms, or compromised websites. The out-of-bounds read condition creates a potential pathway for attackers to extract system memory contents, which could contain session tokens, database connection strings, or other sensitive information that could be used to escalate privileges or conduct more sophisticated attacks. The memory disclosure aspect of this vulnerability makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Adobe Animate is commonly used for developing interactive content and animations. Organizations that have not updated to the patched versions of Adobe Animate face increased risk of data exposure through this vulnerability, as the flaw exists in the application's core file processing functionality and affects all versions prior to the security update. The attack vector requires user interaction but does not demand elevated privileges, making it a significant concern for organizations that cannot control user behavior or prevent users from opening potentially malicious files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-28617 primarily focus on implementing timely security updates and maintaining awareness of user behavior patterns that could lead to exploitation. Organizations should immediately deploy the security patches released by Adobe to address this vulnerability and ensure all instances of Adobe Animate are updated to versions that contain the necessary fixes. Additionally, implementing user education programs can help reduce the risk of successful exploitation by teaching users to recognize potentially malicious file attachments and to avoid opening files from untrusted sources. Network-based controls such as email filtering and web content filtering can provide additional layers of protection by blocking known malicious file types or suspicious file downloads. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be established to quickly address any potential breaches. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of application sandboxing and privilege separation, where applications should be configured to operate with minimal required permissions and access to system resources. Organizations should consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure that all software components, including Adobe Animate, are kept current with the latest security updates. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can help identify similar issues in other applications and systems, while also validating the effectiveness of implemented security controls. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating security policies to address the specific threat landscape associated with client-side vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-28617.