CVE-2021-36014

File-system information disclosure via uninitialized MP4 pointer

Published Aug 20, 2021 · Updated Apr 23, 2025

Improper input validation in Adobe Media Encoder 15.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read file-system data through a crafted MP4 file. The MP4 parser accesses memory before proper initialization, exposing contents associated with the uninitialized pointer. A victim must open the malicious file, and the documented standalone impact is disclosure in the current user's context.

CVSS severity3.3
Low
EPSS probability2.53%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Adobe Media Encoder 15.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read file-system data through a crafted MP4 file. The MP4 parser accesses memory before proper initialization, exposing contents associated with the uninitialized pointer. A victim must open the malicious file, and the documented standalone impact is disclosure in the current user's context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-36014
Published
Aug 20, 2021
Updated
Apr 23, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Media Encoder
Classifications
CWE-824, CWE-20, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 20, 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 <=15.2
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Media Encoderversion=unspecified <=15.2; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

3.3AdobeCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-824Access of Uninitialized Pointer
CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
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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