Adobe Dreamweaver Desktop versions 21.6 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could result in arbitrary 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 and scope is changed. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code, posing a significant risk to users.
The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 8.6, categorizing it as high severity. This score indicates that the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is substantial, with high impact across all dimensions. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Dreamweaver must treat this vulnerability with urgency.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data and the ability to execute malicious code. Users interacting with compromised files are particularly at risk, making it imperative for organizations to prioritize patching immediately.
As of now, there is no confirmed public exploit for this vulnerability, but the conditions for exploitation necessitate immediate attention to mitigate risks.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability description states that Dreamweaver Desktop versions 21.6 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability. The official CVE description notes that exploitation requires user interaction, specifically that the victim must open a malicious file. The scope of the vulnerability is changed, which allows for arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.6, classified under high severity. This score is derived from factors such as attack vector (local), attack complexity (low), and the requirement of user interaction. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as high.
The affected product is Adobe Dreamweaver, specifically versions up to 21.6. The vulnerability was published on January 13, 2026.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is due to improper input validation, falling under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classification of CWE-20. Attackers may leverage this flaw by crafting malicious files that, when opened by a user, trigger the execution of arbitrary code.
The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have physical or remote access to the system where Dreamweaver is installed. The attack complexity is rated low, indicating that an attacker can exploit the vulnerability without significant effort. No privileges are required for exploitation, and user interaction is necessary for the execution of the attack.
The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated high, indicating that successful exploitation can lead to significant adverse effects on the affected system.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk is significant given the nature of the vulnerability. Attackers could exploit it to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or execute malicious actions on the user's system. This presents a considerable risk to organizations that rely on Dreamweaver for their operational needs.
The urgency of addressing this vulnerability is underscored by its high CVSS score and the implications of potential exploits. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and ensure the integrity of their systems.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Adobe Dreamweaver are all versions prior to 21.7. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest version to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Adobe has released a patch to address this vulnerability. Organizations should promptly update to the latest version of Dreamweaver to remediate this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting file access or disabling certain features until the patch can be applied.
For ongoing security, organizations may benefit from utilizing penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their environment.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for unusual behaviors associated with Dreamweaver, including unexpected file execution or anomalous user actions. Log indicators such as file access patterns and user interactions with Dreamweaver should be scrutinized to detect potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its demonstration of the risks associated with improper input validation. Security teams should learn from this incident and emphasize robust input validation mechanisms in their applications. Furthermore, organizations should regularly review and update their security practices to include thorough testing against similar vulnerabilities.
Organizations looking to enhance their security posture can benefit from penetration testing methodology to identify weaknesses in their systems.
Additionally, organizations might consider integrating vulnerability management programs to systematically address and remediate vulnerabilities such as this one.
Finally, leveraging services such as application security assessments can provide organizations with deeper insights into their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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