CVE-2025-27182 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability classified under CWE-787 found in Adobe After Effects versions 25.1, 24.6.4, and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software improperly handles memory boundaries while processing certain crafted files, leading to memory corruption. Specifically, an attacker can craft a malicious After Effects project file that, when opened by a user, triggers an out-of-bounds write operation. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user, potentially allowing the attacker to run malicious payloads, escalate privileges, or manipulate system behavior. The vulnerability requires user interaction, as the victim must open the malicious file, which limits remote exploitation but still poses a significant risk, especially in environments where files are shared or downloaded from untrusted sources. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects high severity, with attack vector local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Currently, no patches or updates have been released by Adobe, and no known exploits have been detected in the wild. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for creative professionals and organizations relying on After Effects for video production, as exploitation could lead to system compromise and data breaches.

The impact of CVE-2025-27182 is significant for organizations using Adobe After Effects, especially in media production, advertising, and creative industries. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the current user, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive project files, intellectual property theft, and disruption of creative workflows. The vulnerability affects confidentiality by exposing sensitive data, integrity by allowing modification or destruction of files, and availability by potentially crashing or destabilizing the application or host system. Although exploitation requires user interaction, the widespread use of After Effects and frequent sharing of project files increase the risk of targeted attacks or supply chain compromises. Organizations may face operational downtime, reputational damage, and financial losses if attackers leverage this vulnerability to implant malware or ransomware. The lack of a patch increases exposure time, emphasizing the need for proactive mitigation. Additionally, attackers could use this vulnerability as an initial foothold to pivot within networks, escalating the threat beyond individual workstations.

To mitigate CVE-2025-27182, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict the opening of After Effects project files to trusted sources only, employing strict file validation and sandboxing where possible. 2) Educate users on the risks of opening files from unverified or unknown origins to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering. 3) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to After Effects processes. 4) Monitor network and endpoint logs for suspicious activity indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected process launches or memory anomalies. 5) Isolate critical creative workstations from general-purpose networks to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 6) Regularly back up project files and system states to enable recovery in the event of an attack. 7) Stay informed on Adobe’s security advisories and apply patches promptly once available. 8) Consider deploying virtualized or containerized environments for running After Effects to contain potential exploits. These targeted steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling file provenance, user behavior, and environment segmentation specific to the threat context.