How severe is CVE-2021-40756?

CVE-2021-40756 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-40756 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-40756?

CVE-2021-40756 affects Adobe After Effects. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-40756?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2021-40756 published?

CVE-2021-40756 was published on 2021-11-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-40756

CVE-2021-40756 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Adobe After Effects with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. 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-476.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (68th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-476
Affected product: Adobe After Effects
Published: 2021-11-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Adobe After Effects version 18.4.1 (and earlier) is affected by a Null pointer dereference vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve an application denial-of-service in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-40756?: Adobe After Effects version 18.4.1 (and earlier) is affected by a Null pointer dereference vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve an application denial-of-service in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
How severe is CVE-2021-40756?: CVE-2021-40756 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-40756 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-40756?: CVE-2021-40756 affects Adobe After Effects. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-40756?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2021-40756 published?: CVE-2021-40756 was published on 2021-11-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/after_effects/apsb21-79.html

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:adobe:after_effects:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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