CVE-2024-20746 Overview
CVE-2024-20746 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] in Adobe Premiere Pro that enables arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The flaw affects Premiere Pro versions 24.1, 23.6.2, and earlier on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS platforms. Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a malicious project or media file crafted by the attacker. Successful exploitation allows attackers to run code with the privileges of the logged-in user, which can lead to data theft, persistence, or lateral movement. Adobe addressed the issue in security bulletin APSB24-12.
Critical Impact
Attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution on workstations running vulnerable versions of Adobe Premiere Pro when a user opens a malicious file.
Affected Products
- Adobe Premiere Pro 24.1 and earlier
- Adobe Premiere Pro 23.6.2 and earlier
- Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS host platforms
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-03-18 - CVE-2024-20746 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-20746
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-20746 is an out-of-bounds write in Adobe Premiere Pro's file parsing logic. When Premiere Pro processes a malformed project or media file, the application writes data past the bounds of an allocated buffer. This memory corruption can overwrite adjacent structures, function pointers, or heap metadata. An attacker who controls the overwritten memory can redirect execution flow and run arbitrary code. The vulnerability executes in the context of the current user, inheriting that user's permissions and access to local resources.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or incorrect bounds validation during the parsing of untrusted file content. Premiere Pro reads attacker-controlled length or offset fields from a file and uses them without proper sanity checks. The unchecked write then targets memory outside the intended buffer. This class of defect maps to [CWE-787: Out-of-Bounds Write].
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local user interaction. The attacker must deliver a malicious file, typically through email, chat, cloud storage, or a compromised web download. The victim must open the file in a vulnerable Premiere Pro version. No network access to the host is required, and no prior authentication to Premiere Pro is needed. Because Premiere Pro is commonly used in creative and enterprise media workflows, social engineering attacks targeting editors and post-production staff are a realistic delivery path.
No public proof-of-concept exploit or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported. See the Adobe Premiere Pro Security Advisory for vendor-supplied technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-20746
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by Adobe Premiere Pro.exe or Adobe Premiere Pro on macOS, such as command shells or scripting hosts.
- Crash reports or Windows Error Reporting entries referencing Premiere Pro modules following the opening of a third-party project file.
- Premiere Pro project files (.prproj) or media assets arriving from untrusted email, chat, or download sources shortly before anomalous host activity.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for process lineage anomalies where Premiere Pro spawns interpreters, cmd.exe, powershell.exe, bash, or osascript.
- Alert on outbound network connections initiated directly by the Premiere Pro process to unfamiliar hosts.
- Track file write and persistence actions performed by the Premiere Pro process, including registry Run keys, Launch Agents, or startup folders.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Inventory endpoints running Premiere Pro and confirm installed versions against the fixed releases in APSB24-12.
- Ingest endpoint process, file, and network telemetry into a centralized data lake to enable retroactive hunting for exploitation attempts.
- Correlate email and web gateway logs for delivery of Premiere Pro project files or media assets from external senders.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-20746
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Premiere Pro to the fixed releases listed in Adobe's security bulletin APSB24-12.
- Restrict opening of Premiere Pro project or media files received from untrusted external sources.
- Enforce least-privilege user accounts so exploitation does not yield administrator rights.
- Deliver targeted user awareness to video editors and post-production staff about malicious project file lures.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed builds of Premiere Pro that address CVE-2024-20746. Details, download links, and the full list of affected versions are documented in the Adobe Premiere Pro Security Advisory (APSB24-12). Apply updates through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling.
Workarounds
- No official workaround replaces patching; treat mitigations as temporary controls only.
- Block or quarantine Premiere Pro project files (.prproj) and unusual media containers at email and web gateways when originating externally.
- Isolate systems that must run older Premiere Pro versions from sensitive data and network segments until patching is completed.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
