CVE-2021-35996Network attack vector

Arbitrary code execution via end-of-buffer access

Published Sep 2, 2021 · Updated Apr 23, 2025

Memory corruption in Adobe After Effects 18.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted file. The file parser accesses memory beyond a buffer boundary while processing attacker-controlled file data, corrupting memory used by the application. Exploitation requires a victim to open the file and runs code in the context of the current user, exposing that user's data and application privileges.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability2.48%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in Adobe After Effects 18.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted file. The file parser accesses memory beyond a buffer boundary while processing attacker-controlled file data, corrupting memory used by the application. Exploitation requires a victim to open the file and runs code in the context of the current user, exposing that user's data and application privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-35996
Published
Sep 2, 2021
Updated
Apr 23, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
After Effects
Classifications
CWE-787, CWE-788, T1204.002, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 2, 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 <=18.2.1
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · After Effectsversion=unspecified <=18.2.1; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

9.3National Institute of Standards and TechnologyAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8National Institute of Standards and TechnologyCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
CWE-788Access of Memory Location After End of Buffer
T1204.002Malicious File
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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