CVE-2026-21267: High Vulnerability in Adobe Dreamweaver

Adobe Dreamweaver versions 21.6 and earlier are affected by an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') vulnerability. This vulnerability allows arbitrary code execution by an attacker. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction because a victim must open a malicious file, which changes the scope.

This vulnerability has been classified with a CVSS score of 8.6, indicating a high severity level. The potential for exploitation emphasizes the need for organizations to take immediate action. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential system compromise.

As of now, there are no known exploits publicly available, but organizations should not underestimate the risk. To effectively mitigate this threat, Adobe has recommended immediate patching for affected systems.

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to protect against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability allows arbitrary code execution due to improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, classified under CWE-78. The CVSS 3.1 vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Adobe Dreamweaver versions 21.6 and earlier are specifically affected. The vulnerability was published on January 13, 2026.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper handling of user-supplied input, which can lead to command injection. The attack vector is local, meaning that the attacker must have physical or remote access to the victim's machine. The attack complexity is low, with no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary to trigger the vulnerability.

Exploitation can lead to high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, as the attacker could execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Organizations using Adobe Dreamweaver must be aware of the risks associated with this vulnerability. The potential for arbitrary code execution poses a significant threat, particularly in environments where users may open untrusted files.

With the high CVSS score of 8.6, organizations should assess the potential blast radius and prioritize remediation efforts based on their deployment of affected versions. The urgency for patching this vulnerability is critical.

Affected Versions

All versions of Adobe Dreamweaver prior to 21.7 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure they update to the latest version to mitigate this risk.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should implement immediate patching to the latest version of Adobe Dreamweaver. For those unable to apply the patch, it is advisable to enforce strict file handling policies and educate users to avoid opening untrusted files.

Implementing network controls and monitoring for unusual behavior can further help in detecting potential exploitation attempts.

For further guidance on securing your applications, organizations are encouraged to refer to resources on application security assessments.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized file access and inspect behavioral anomalies that could signify an exploitation attempt.

Network signatures and system changes should also be closely observed to detect any suspicious activities that might relate to this vulnerability.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The existence of this vulnerability in widely used software such as Adobe Dreamweaver highlights a common challenge in application security. Security teams should learn from this incident to enhance their own security practices and consider the importance of user interaction in the exploitation process.

For further insights and strategies on managing vulnerabilities, organizations are recommended to explore topics such as vulnerability management programs, penetration testing methodologies, and security best practices.