CVE-2021-21098
Adobe InDesign PCX file parsing out-of-bounds write vulnerability could lead to remote code execution
Adobe InDesign version 16.0 (and earlier) is affected by an Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability when parsing a crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve remote 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.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Required
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
Adobe InDesign PCX file parsing out-of-bounds write vulnerability could lead to remote code execution
Adobe InDesign version 16.0 (and earlier) is affected by an Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability when parsing a crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve remote 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.
- Record
CVE-2021-21098- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-787
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-8489
Adobe InDesign version 16.0 (and earlier) is affected by an Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability when parsing a crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve remote 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.
- Record
EUVD-2021-8489- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-pjj6-f92r-2c8w No score
Adobe InDesign version 16.0 (and earlier) is affected by an Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability...
Adobe InDesign version 16.0 (and earlier) is affected by an Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability when parsing a crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve remote 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.
- Record
GHSA-pjj6-f92r-2c8w- Weakness
- CWE-787
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
Adobe InDesign version 16.0 (and earlier) is affected by an Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability when parsing a crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve remote 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.
- Record
CVE-2021-21098- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 9.3 High
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Weakness
- CWE-787
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| facts | ||
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2021-21098 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.8) in Adobe Indesign, published June 28, 2021. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 5.75%, the 93rd percentile. No source names a fixed version.