How severe is CVE-2021-40720?

CVE-2021-40720 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-40720 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-40720?

CVE-2021-40720 affects Adobe Ops-cli. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-40720?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-40720 published?

CVE-2021-40720 was published on 2021-10-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-40720

CVE-2021-40720 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Adobe Ops-cli with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-502.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 9% (95th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-502
Affected product: Adobe Ops-cli
Published: 2021-10-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Ops CLI version 2.0.4 (and earlier) is affected by a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution when the checkout_repo function is called on a maliciously crafted file. An attacker can leverage this to execute arbitrary code on the victim machine.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-40720?: Ops CLI version 2.0.4 (and earlier) is affected by a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution when the checkout_repo function is called on a maliciously crafted file. An attacker can leverage this to execute arbitrary code on the victim machine.
How severe is CVE-2021-40720?: CVE-2021-40720 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-40720 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-40720?: CVE-2021-40720 affects Adobe Ops-cli. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-40720?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-40720 published?: CVE-2021-40720 was published on 2021-10-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/ops_cli/apsb21-88.html

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:adobe:ops-cli:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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