CC Particle World crashes (0xc0000005 / libcef.dll) when editing Point param or expression — AE 26.3

Summary:
After Effects crashes (process terminates immediately, no dialog) when interacting with the CC Particle World effect's spatial parameters — specifically when manually editing a Point control (e.g. Producer Point) or when adding/editing an expression on any parameter of this effect. Other similar particle effects (CC Particle Systems II, Trapcode Particular, Trapcode Stardust) do not reproduce this issue under identical actions.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Create a new composition, add a solid layer.
2. Apply Effect → Simulation → CC Particle World.
3. In Effect Controls, expand the effect's Producer Point (or any Point-type parameter).
4. Either: (a) manually adjust/enter values for the point, or (b) right-click the parameter → Add Expression, and type any expression (e.g. value).
5. After Effects crashes immediately.

Expected result: Parameter updates normally, or expression is applied without issue.

Actual result: Application terminates immediately (no error dialog shown to the user).

Windows Event Viewer detail (Application Error, Event ID 1000):

• Faulting application: CEPHtmlEngine.exe (Adobe After Effects 2026\Support Files\CEPHtmlEngine)
• Faulting module: libcef.dll
• Exception code: 0xc0000005 (access violation)

Note: on at least one occurrence, the crash terminated the main AfterFX.exe process directly rather than just the CEPHtmlEngine.exe subprocess.

Isolation already performed (this is fully reproducible and isolated to this specific effect):

• Reproduces on a brand-new, empty project/composition — not project-specific.
• Reproduces after a full clean uninstall/reinstall of After Effects.
• Reproduces with all third-party CEP extensions/panels removed.
• Reproduces regardless of GPU renderer setting (Mercury GPU / Software Only).
• Reproduces with Expression Editor's syntax highlighting/auto-complete/inline errors disabled.
• Does NOT reproduce with CC Particle Systems II, Trapcode Particular, or Trapcode Stardust under the same actions (point editing, expressions).
• Replacing CC Particle World.aex with the same file from an AE 26.0 installation does not resolve it (crashes identically).

Environment:

• After Effects version: 26.3 (Build 87)
• OS: Windows
• Effect: CC Particle World (native/bundled effect)