Adobe After Effects: Heap-based buffer overflow allows code execution
Summary
Adobe After Effects is affected by a heap-based buffer overflow that could allow arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. An attacker needs no privileges, but a victim must open a malicious file. Windows and macOS installations up to 26.5 and 25.6.6 are affected.
Affected
- Adobe After Effects 0 to 26.5 (Windows and macOS)
- Adobe After Effects 0 to 25.6.6 (Windows and macOS)
Fixed in
- Branch 26.x: update to 26.5.3
- Branch 25.6.x: update to 27.0 (per CVE record; verify on the Adobe bulletin)
Workaround
Unknown.
- No vendor workaround is documented for this CVE.
- Until patched, do not open project or media files from unknown sources.
Exploitation
- Not known to be exploited (OffSeq; Strix lists KEV: No).
- Adobe is not aware of exploits in the wild for any issue in bulletin APSB26-100.
- No public proof of concept found; this is not proof that none exists.
Our recommendation
- Update After Effects to 26.5.3 or 27.0, depending on the installed branch, via Creative Cloud once verified against APSB26-100.
- Patch the whole APSB26-100 bulletin (17 CVEs), not only this CVE.
- Restrict opening files from unknown sources and identify workstations running After Effects.
- Priority: moderate for most SMEs, higher for creative teams exchanging files with external parties.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- CVE.org record CVE-2026-123263 www.cve.org
- Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-100 www.adobe.com
- ZDI November 2026 security update review www.zerodayinitiative.com
- OffSeq threat radar entry radar.offseq.com
- Strix CVE entry CVE-2026-123263 www.strix.ai
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, 02:03.
Original description (NVD)
After Effects is affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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.
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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