CVE-2021-21052
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2021-21052 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Adobe Animate that allows arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious file. Attackers can exploit this to run code with the victim's privileges, potentially taking full control of the system. All users running Adobe Animate version 21.0.2 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Animate
📦 What is this software?
Animate by Adobe
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control, data theft, ransomware deployment, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Malware installation leading to data exfiltration, credential theft, or system disruption through user opening malicious animation files.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper patching and user education preventing malicious file execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file) but is unauthenticated once the file is opened.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 21.0.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/animate/apsb21-11.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Animate. 2. Go to Help > Updates. 3. Install available updates to version 21.0.3 or later. 4. Restart the application.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable automatic file opening
allConfigure system to not automatically open animation files and require user confirmation
Restrict file execution
allUse application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized animation files
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict user education about not opening untrusted animation files
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor for suspicious Animate process behavior
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Adobe Animate version in Help > About Adobe Animate. If version is 21.0.2 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
On Windows: Check registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Animate\XX.X\InstallPath. On macOS: Check /Applications/Adobe Animate XX/Adobe Animate.app/Contents/Info.plistVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 21.0.3 or later in Help > About Adobe Animate.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process creation from Animate executable
- Multiple failed file parsing attempts in Animate logs
- Crash reports from Adobe Animate
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Animate process to suspicious domains
- Unexpected network activity following animation file opening
SIEM Query:
process_name:"Animate.exe" AND (event_type:"process_creation" OR event_type:"crash")