CVE-2025-27199 in Animate
Summary
by MITRE • 04/08/2025
Animate versions 24.0.7, 23.0.10 and earlier are 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-27199 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow inAnimate software versions 24.0.7, 23.0.10, and earlier. This flaw resides within the application's handling of file parsing operations where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to craft malicious files that trigger memory corruption during processing. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries, creating a condition that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. The attack vector requires social engineering through user interaction, as victims must willingly open the crafted malicious file for exploitation to occur.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from improper input validation within Animate's file parsing routines. When processing specially crafted files, the software fails to adequately validate the size or content of data structures, allowing an attacker to overflow adjacent heap memory regions. This memory corruption can overwrite critical program variables, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow and inject malicious code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory allocations where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates within the context of the current user, meaning successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise without requiring elevated privileges.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise through a combination of attack techniques. The requirement for user interaction creates a realistic attack scenario that can be amplified through phishing campaigns, malicious email attachments, or compromised websites distributing infected files. Security researchers have identified this as a high-risk vulnerability due to its potential for remote code execution, which could allow attackers to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. The vulnerability's presence in widely used software versions means that organizations utilizing these Animate releases face significant exposure risks, particularly in environments where users have the ability to open various file types or where automated file processing occurs. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where it could facilitate lateral movement or privilege escalation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-27199 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the buffer overflow vulnerability. Organizations must implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction to be effective. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file validation policies, deploying sandboxing mechanisms for file processing, and establishing user awareness training to reduce successful social engineering attempts. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for suspicious file access patterns or unusual network activity associated with the vulnerable software. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1204.002 (User Execution: Malicious File) highlights the importance of monitoring for these attack patterns and implementing multi-layered security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized software and reduce the attack surface for this type of vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify potential additional exposure areas within the environment.