CVE-2021-28570 Adobe After Effects uncontrolled search path element vulnerability could lead to remote code execution

High 8.3 Published 28 Jun 2021 Updated 23 Apr 2025

An attacker can plant custom binaries to execute code with System permissions via an uncontrolled search path in Adobe After Effects.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2021-28570?

CVE-2021-28570 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Adobe After Effects, published on 28 Jun 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

Adobe After Effects version 18.1 (and earlier) is affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path element vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker could exploit this to to plant custom binaries and execute them with System permissions. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction.

Weakness: CWE-427

Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-28570?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Adobe After Effects.

How do I fix CVE-2021-28570?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-28570 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.

Is CVE-2021-28570 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-28570 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Adobe After Effects vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-x3q8-x67w-r85c.