Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-39862 affects Adobe FrameMaker when parsing malicious PostScript files. A victim must open a crafted file, which can expose sensitive process memory. Business impact is limited but relevant where FrameMaker is used for documentation workflows involving external files.
Executive priority
Treat this as a low-priority patching item unless FrameMaker users regularly handle external files. It is unlikely to drive standalone compromise, but it can support a larger attack by leaking memory information.
Technical view
This is a CWE-125 out-of-bounds read in Adobe FrameMaker 2019 Update 8 and earlier, and 2020 Release Update 2 and earlier. CVSS is 3.3: local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, user interaction required, low confidentiality impact, no integrity or availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to systems running affected Adobe FrameMaker versions, especially users who open PostScript or FrameMaker-related files from external parties, email, shared drives, or documentation intake workflows.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Exploitation requires user interaction. The main concern is information disclosure that could help bypass mitigations such as ASLR in a broader attack chain.
Researcher notes
Key constraints are UI:R and C:L with no integrity or availability impact in the supplied CVSS vector. The ASLR-bypass note makes this more relevant as a chain component than as an isolated vulnerability.
Mitigation direction
- Use Adobe APSB21-74 to identify and apply the appropriate FrameMaker security update.
- Prioritize users who process external or untrusted documentation files.
- Restrict opening PostScript files from unknown or unsolicited sources.
- Use endpoint protections and email controls for suspicious document attachments.
- Retire or isolate affected FrameMaker installations that cannot be updated.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Adobe FrameMaker installations and record installed release/update levels.
- Flag 2019 Update 8 or earlier and 2020 Release Update 2 or earlier.
- Confirm remediation against Adobe APSB21-74 guidance.
- Review documentation workflows for untrusted PostScript file handling.
- Check whether endpoint controls cover suspicious document delivery paths.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-125: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-39862 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Low
- CVSS
- 3.3 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N1.81.4Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
3.3LowVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/framemaker/apsb21-74.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Out-of-bounds Read
Out-of-bounds Read represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.