CVE-2021-21048 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-21048 on Adobe Photoshop. Learn about the Memory Corruption vulnerability, its risks, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
Adobe Photoshop versions 21.2.4 (and earlier) and 22.1.1 (and earlier) have been found to be affected by a Memory Corruption vulnerability that could potentially lead to remote code execution. This CVE was made public on February 9, 2021.
Understanding CVE-2021-21048
This section provides insights into the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.
What is CVE-2021-21048?
The vulnerability in Adobe Photoshop arises from a Memory Corruption issue when parsing specially crafted files. This flaw could be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected user, requiring user interaction to open a malicious file.
The Impact of CVE-2021-21048
With a CVSS base score of 7.8 and a 'High' severity rating, the impact is significant. The attack complexity is classified as 'Low', with a 'Required' user interaction level. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system are all at risk, with no special privileges required for exploitation.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-21048
Delve deeper into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
Based on CWE-787 ('Out-of-bounds Write'), the flaw allows for potential buffer overflow, giving attackers the opportunity to execute arbitrary code remotely.
Affected Systems and Versions
Adobe Photoshop versions 21.2.4 and 22.1.1, along with earlier builds, are confirmed to be vulnerable.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploiting this vulnerability involves creating and tricking a victim into opening a specially crafted file, which triggers the malicious code execution.
Mitigation and Prevention
Explore the necessary steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-21048.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update Adobe Photoshop to the latest secure version and refrain from opening files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement strong security practices, including regular software updates, security monitoring, and user awareness training.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches and update Adobe Photoshop whenever new patches are released to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.