CVE-2026-48367: 
Adobe After Effects vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2026-48367 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) in Adobe After Effects that could allow arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. It affects Adobe After Effects versions 25.6.5 and earlier, and versions 26.0 through 26.2.1, on both Windows and macOS. The vulnerability was disclosed and patched on July 14, 2026, as part of Adobe's July 2026 security update (APSB26-78). It carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (High) (Adobe Advisory, GitHub Advisory).

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), meaning the application writes data beyond the boundaries of an allocated buffer during file parsing or processing. Exploitation requires a local attack vector — an attacker must craft a malicious file and socially engineer a victim into opening it with Adobe After Effects, triggering the out-of-bounds write condition. No authentication or elevated privileges are required on the part of the attacker; only user interaction (opening the file) is necessary. No public proof-of-concept or detailed technical write-up has been identified at this time (Adobe Advisory, GitHub Advisory).

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user, resulting in high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the affected system. An attacker could read sensitive files, modify data, install malware, or crash the application. Because exploitation runs under the victim's user context, the blast radius is bounded by that user's privileges, though it could serve as a foothold for further lateral movement if the victim has elevated rights (Adobe Advisory, GitHub Advisory).

1. Craft malicious file: An attacker creates a specially crafted After Effects project file (or supported media file) designed to trigger an out-of-bounds write when parsed by a vulnerable version of Adobe After Effects.
2. Deliver the file: The attacker delivers the malicious file to the target via phishing email, file-sharing platform, or other social engineering means, disguising it as a legitimate project or asset.
3. Victim opens the file: The victim opens the malicious file using a vulnerable version of Adobe After Effects (≤25.6.5 or 26.0–26.2.1) on Windows or macOS.
4. Trigger out-of-bounds write: The application processes the malformed file, causing a write operation to occur outside the intended buffer boundary, corrupting memory in a controlled manner.
5. Achieve code execution: The memory corruption is leveraged to redirect program execution flow, resulting in arbitrary code execution under the current user's privileges, potentially enabling malware installation, data theft, or further system compromise (Adobe Advisory, GitHub Advisory).

• Process: Unexpected child processes spawned by Adobe After Effects (e.g., cmd.exe, powershell.exe, bash, curl, wget) following the opening of a project or media file.
• File System: Newly created or modified files in user temp directories, startup folders, or application data paths shortly after After Effects is launched with an untrusted file.
• Network: Unusual outbound network connections originating from the After Effects process (AfterFX.exe on Windows or After Effects on macOS) to unknown external IP addresses or domains.
• Logs: Application crash logs or Windows Event Logs (Event ID 1000/1001) referencing AfterFX.exe with access violation or memory corruption errors around the time a suspicious file was opened.

Adobe has released patched versions addressing this vulnerability: users on the 25.x branch should update to version 25.6.6 or later, and users on the 26.x branch should update to version 26.3 or later, on both Windows and macOS. Updates are available through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application. As a temporary workaround until patching is possible, users should avoid opening After Effects project files or media files received from untrusted or unknown sources (Adobe Advisory).

The CIS (Center for Internet Security) issued an advisory noting that multiple Adobe product vulnerabilities disclosed in July 2026, including this one, could allow for arbitrary code execution, recommending prompt patching. Security monitoring platforms such as Tenable and VulnDB catalogued the vulnerability shortly after disclosure. No notable independent researcher commentary or significant social media discussion has been identified beyond standard vulnerability aggregation coverage (CIS Advisory).