CVE-2025-27186: Adobe After Effects Information Disclosure

CVE-2025-27186 Overview

CVE-2025-27186 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability [CWE-125] affecting Adobe After Effects versions 25.1, 24.6.4, and earlier. The flaw allows an attacker to read memory outside the allocated buffer during file parsing. Successful exploitation discloses sensitive process memory that can be used to bypass mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR). Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a crafted project or media file in After Effects. The issue affects installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS.

Critical Impact
An attacker can leak sensitive process memory and defeat ASLR, enabling reliable follow-on exploitation when chained with a memory-corruption primitive.

Affected Products

Adobe After Effects 25.1 and earlier
Adobe After Effects 24.6.4 and earlier
Deployments on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS

Discovery Timeline

2025-04-08 - CVE-2025-27186 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-27186

Vulnerability Analysis

After Effects parses a wide range of project files, media containers, and plug-in resources. The vulnerable code reads bytes past the end of an allocated buffer when processing a malformed input file. Because the read exceeds the intended boundary, adjacent heap or stack memory is returned to attacker-controlled logic within the application.

An attacker uses this leak to retrieve pointers, module base addresses, or other runtime values. These values defeat ASLR by revealing the actual memory layout of the After Effects process. Confidentiality of in-process data is directly impacted, while integrity and availability are not. Exploitation is local and requires the victim to open a malicious file, which is a realistic vector for creative teams receiving third-party assets.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds validation during file parsing, classified as CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read). The parser trusts length or offset fields embedded in the input file without verifying them against the actual buffer size.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a crafted file via email, shared storage, asset marketplace, or collaboration platform. When the victim opens the file in After Effects, the vulnerable parser triggers the out-of-bounds read and returns leaked memory to attacker-controlled logic for exfiltration or chained exploitation.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. See the Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-23 for vendor technical references.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-27186

Indicators of Compromise

After Effects (AfterFX.exe on Windows, After Effects.app on macOS) crashes or faults shortly after opening a third-party project or media file.
Unexpected child processes, network connections, or file writes originating from the After Effects process.
Project files received from untrusted sources with abnormal structure, unusual size, or unexpected embedded assets.

Detection Strategies

Monitor process telemetry for anomalous behavior of AfterFX.exe and After Effects.app, including unexpected memory read patterns and crashes.
Correlate file-open events in After Effects with inbound email attachments or downloads from untrusted domains.
Track installed After Effects versions across endpoints and flag hosts running 25.1, 24.6.4, or earlier builds.

Monitoring Recommendations

Centralize endpoint telemetry from creative workstations and alert on After Effects process crashes and dump generation.
Baseline normal After Effects network and file activity to surface deviations consistent with post-exploitation.
Review software inventory reports weekly to confirm patch adoption across Windows and macOS creative endpoints.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-27186

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe After Effects to the fixed version identified in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-23.
Instruct users to open project files, templates, and media only from trusted sources.
Inventory all creative workstations on Windows and macOS to confirm no vulnerable builds remain in production.

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed builds for After Effects as described in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-23. Apply updates through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or managed deployment tooling. Verify the installed version post-update to confirm remediation.

Workarounds

Block or quarantine After Effects project files (.aep, .aet) and uncommon media containers received from untrusted senders at the email gateway.
Restrict After Effects use to standard (non-administrative) user accounts to limit the blast radius of any chained exploitation.
Enforce application allowlisting and host firewall rules to prevent After Effects from spawning unexpected child processes or outbound connections.

bash

# Configuration example: verify installed After Effects version
# Windows (PowerShell)
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Adobe\After Effects\*" | Select-Object DisplayName, Version

# macOS (Terminal)
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe After Effects 2025/Adobe After Effects 2025.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString