CVE-2025-27200 is a Use After Free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 affecting Adobe Animate versions 24.0.7, 23.0.10, and earlier. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management where the program accesses memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior. An attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting a malicious Animate file that, when opened by a user, triggers the use-after-free condition. This can result in arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user, potentially allowing the attacker to execute malicious payloads, escalate privileges, or compromise system integrity. The vulnerability requires user interaction, specifically opening a malicious file, which limits remote exploitation but still poses a significant risk in environments where users handle untrusted Animate files. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is published and recognized by Adobe and the CVE database. Adobe Animate is a widely used multimedia authoring and computer animation program, particularly prevalent in creative industries, education, and digital content production.

The exploitation of CVE-2025-27200 can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to compromise affected systems fully under the privileges of the current user. This can result in data theft, installation of malware, ransomware deployment, or further lateral movement within a network. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by potentially exposing sensitive creative content and intellectual property. Integrity is at risk as attackers could alter files or system configurations. Availability could be disrupted if attackers deploy destructive payloads or cause application crashes. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but targeted attacks against organizations handling Adobe Animate files remain a significant threat. Given Adobe Animate's usage in creative sectors, attacks could disrupt media production workflows and damage organizational reputation. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially once exploit code becomes available.

Organizations should monitor Adobe’s official channels for security updates and apply patches promptly once released to remediate this vulnerability. Until patches are available, restrict the opening of Animate files from untrusted or unknown sources through email filtering, endpoint controls, and user education. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Enhance endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities to identify suspicious behaviors related to Adobe Animate processes. Conduct user awareness training emphasizing the risks of opening files from unverified sources. Network segmentation can reduce lateral movement if a system is compromised. Regularly back up critical data and verify restore procedures to mitigate potential ransomware or destructive attacks. Security teams should also review and harden permissions for users running Adobe Animate to minimize privilege levels.