CVE-2026-21328
Published: 10 February 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-21328 is a high-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Adobe After Effects. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203); ranked at the 2.6th 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 RA-5 (Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning) and SI-16 (Memory Protection).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Mandates timely identification, reporting, and correction of software flaws like CVE-2026-21328 through vendor patches such as those in Adobe APSB26-15.
Implements memory safeguards like DEP and ASLR to protect against out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities enabling arbitrary code execution.
Requires vulnerability scanning to identify and report the presence of CVE-2026-21328 in vulnerable After Effects installations.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Out-of-bounds write in client application enables arbitrary code execution when user opens malicious file (T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution + T1204.002 Malicious File).
NVD Description
After Effects versions 25.6 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write 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 open…
more
a malicious file.
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2026-21328 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) affecting Adobe After Effects versions 25.6 and earlier. Published on 2026-02-10, it could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when exploited.
The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). An attacker with local access can exploit it by tricking a victim into opening a malicious file, requiring user interaction but no privileges. Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution, leading to high-impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromises within the user's context.
Adobe's security bulletin APSB26-15 at https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/after_effects/apsb26-15.html provides details on mitigation and patches.
Details
- CWE(s)