CVE-2021-36050

Code execution via crafted-file heap overflow

Published Sep 1, 2021 · Updated Nov 3, 2025

Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe XMP Toolkit SDK 2020.1 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a crafted file. Adobe identifies the affected component only as the SDK and has not disclosed the parser, function, or unchecked operation that overruns the heap buffer. A victim must open the file, after which attacker-controlled code runs with the current user's privileges and can read, alter, or interrupt resources available to that account.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability5.40%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe XMP Toolkit SDK 2020.1 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a crafted file. Adobe identifies the affected component only as the SDK and has not disclosed the parser, function, or unchecked operation that overruns the heap buffer. A victim must open the file, after which attacker-controlled code runs with the current user's privileges and can read, alter, or interrupt resources available to that account.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-36050
Published
Sep 1, 2021
Updated
Nov 3, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
XMP Toolkit SDK
Classifications
CWE-787, CWE-122, T1204.002, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 1, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 3, 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 <=2020.1
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · XMP Toolkit SDKversion=unspecified <=2020.1; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8AdobeCVSS:3.1/AV:L/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
CWE-122Heap-based Buffer Overflow
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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