CVE-2021-36049 in Adobe
Summary
by MITRE • 09/01/2021
Adobe Bridge version 11.1 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious Bridge file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2021
Adobe Bridge version 11.1 and earlier contains a memory corruption vulnerability classified as CVE-2021-36049 that arises from insecure handling of malicious Bridge files. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 memory corruption category and represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited through a specially crafted file. The vulnerability occurs when the application processes malformed or malicious Bridge files without proper input validation, leading to improper memory management that can be manipulated by attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the currently logged-in user.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning that an attacker must convince a victim to open a malicious Bridge file through the application. This interaction-based attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves gaining access through user interaction with malicious files. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially leading to code execution with the privileges of the current user. This represents a significant escalation risk since Adobe Bridge typically runs with user-level privileges and can access sensitive system resources through its file handling capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-36049 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or access confidential data stored within the user's environment. The vulnerability affects users who regularly work with Bridge files, particularly those in creative workflows where file sharing and collaboration are common. Attackers can leverage this flaw to deliver malware, establish backdoors, or perform reconnaissance activities within the target system. The insecure file handling mechanism provides multiple attack surfaces including buffer overflows, heap corruption, or stack-based memory issues that can be triggered during normal file processing operations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patch management to address this vulnerability, as Adobe has released updates to correct the insecure file handling behavior. The recommended mitigation strategy includes deploying the latest version of Adobe Bridge, implementing user education programs to prevent opening suspicious files, and establishing file access controls that limit the impact of potential exploitation. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to malicious Bridge file deliveries and consider network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their overall software supply chain security practices to prevent the introduction of malicious files through legitimate channels, as this vulnerability demonstrates how file processing applications can become attack vectors for broader system compromise.