CVE-2021-28571Network attack vector

Code execution via undisclosed command construction

Published Sep 8, 2021 · Updated Apr 23, 2025

OS command injection in Adobe After Effects 18.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code when a victim opens a malicious file. The vulnerable command-building locus is undisclosed; Adobe states only that exploitation chains a crafted file with a JavaScript development and debugging tool. The victim must open the file, and successful exploitation runs arbitrary code with the current user's privileges.

CVSS severity8.3
High
EPSS probability2.87%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in Adobe After Effects 18.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code when a victim opens a malicious file. The vulnerable command-building locus is undisclosed; Adobe states only that exploitation chains a crafted file with a JavaScript development and debugging tool. The victim must open the file, and successful exploitation runs arbitrary code with the current user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-28571
Published
Sep 8, 2021
Updated
Apr 23, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
After Effects
Classifications
CWE-78, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 8, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 23, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=18.1
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · After Effectsversion=unspecified <=18.1; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.3Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.6NIST NVDAV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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