CVE-2021-28571 Adobe After Effects improper neutralization of special elements could lead to remote code execution

High 8.3 Published 8 Sep 2021 Updated 23 Apr 2025

An attacker can achieve arbitrary code execution by tricking a user into opening a malicious file 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-2021-28571?

CVE-2021-28571 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Adobe After Effects, published on 8 Sep 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 a potential Command injection vulnerability when chained with a development and debugging tool for JavaScript scripts. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

Weakness: CWE-78

Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-28571?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Adobe After Effects.

How do I fix CVE-2021-28571?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-28571 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.

Is CVE-2021-28571 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-28571 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Adobe After Effects vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-2x5j-ww8h-cc92.