CVE-2026-21268
Published: 13 January 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-21268 is a high-severity Improper Input Validation (CWE-20) vulnerability in Adobe Dreamweaver. Its CVSS base score is 8.6 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Malicious File (T1204.002); ranked at the 20.7th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Requires timely flaw remediation through patching of vulnerable Dreamweaver versions, directly eliminating the improper input validation vulnerability as recommended by Adobe.
Mandates validation of information inputs at defined points, directly countering the CWE-20 improper input validation that enables arbitrary code execution from malicious files.
Implements memory protections to mitigate arbitrary code execution attempts resulting from the input validation failure in Dreamweaver.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Direct match to user opening a malicious file for arbitrary code execution in a desktop application.
NVD Description
Dreamweaver Desktop versions 21.6 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must…
more
open a malicious file and scope is changed.
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2026-21268 is an Improper Input Validation vulnerability (CWE-20) affecting Adobe Dreamweaver Desktop versions 21.6 and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a malicious file, with a changed scope noted in the description. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.6 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating high severity due to its potential for complete system compromise upon successful exploitation.
Attackers with local access can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious file and tricking a user into opening it within Dreamweaver, as no privileges are required (PR:N) and complexity is low (AC:L), though user interaction is necessary (UI:R). Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution with elevated scope (S:C), enabling high-impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability violations (C:H/I:H/A:H) in the user's context.
Adobe's security bulletin APSB26-01, available at https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/dreamweaver/apsb26-01.html, provides details on mitigation, including recommendations for applying patches to affected Dreamweaver versions. Security practitioners should prioritize updating to patched releases and advise users to avoid opening untrusted files.
Details
- CWE(s)