Adobe Media Encoder: Incorrect Authorization (CWE-863) enables code execution
Summary
Adobe Media Encoder contains an Incorrect Authorization flaw (CWE-863) that can allow arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The attack requires a victim to open a malicious file, and the attacker cannot control all conditions needed for exploitation. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.7 (High), with a changed scope, high attack complexity and no privileges required.
Affected
- Adobe Media Encoder 26.5.2 and earlier (Windows and macOS)
- Adobe Media Encoder 25.6.6 and earlier (Windows and macOS)
Fixed in
- Adobe Media Encoder 27.0 (Windows and macOS)
- Adobe Media Encoder 26.5.3 (Windows and macOS)
- Fixed build for the 25.6 branch: Unknown. Check Adobe security bulletin APSB26-103 for the exact version.
Workaround
Unknown. No workaround is documented in the sources reviewed.
Exploitation
- Adobe is not aware of any exploits in the wild for the issues in bulletin APSB26-103.
- No public proof of concept was found in the sources reviewed.
- Not listed in CISA KEV in the sources reviewed.
- NVD analysis was still pending at the time of publication.
Our recommendation
- Update Adobe Media Encoder to 27.0 or 26.5.3 via Creative Cloud, and confirm the fixed build for the 25.6 branch in Adobe's advisory APSB26-103.
- Prioritise workstations used for media, design or marketing and any machine that opens files from external parties.
- Avoid opening unknown or unsolicited project and media files until patched.
- Check your asset inventory for Media Encoder installations and include them in the standard monthly patch cycle.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-103 www.adobe.com
- CVE record mirror (threatint) cve.threatint.com
- HKCERT Adobe November 2026 security update www.hkcert.org
- Zero Day Initiative November 2026 security update review www.zerodayinitiative.com
- Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-72 (earlier release) helpx.adobe.com
- Strix CVE entry CVE-2026-82002 www.strix.ai
- OffSeq radar entry CVE-2026-82002 radar.offseq.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 11 Nov 2026, 04:44.
Original description (NVD)
Media Encoder is affected by an Incorrect Authorization vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploit depends on conditions beyond the attacker's control. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file. Scope is changed.
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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