CVE-2024-20761: Adobe Animate RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-20761 Overview

CVE-2024-20761 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] affecting Adobe Animate versions 24.0, 23.0.3, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a crafted malicious file. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, but no privileges on the target system.

The vulnerability affects Adobe Animate installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS platforms. Adobe addressed the issue in security bulletin APSB24-19.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation yields arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Adobe Animate, enabling malware deployment, credential theft, or lateral movement.

Affected Products

Adobe Animate 24.0
Adobe Animate 23.0.3 and earlier
Adobe Animate on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS

Discovery Timeline

2024-03-18 - CVE-2024-20761 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-20761

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-20761 is classified as an Out-of-Bounds Write [CWE-787]. The flaw resides in Adobe Animate's file parsing logic. When Animate processes a crafted input file, it writes data beyond the bounds of an allocated memory buffer. This corruption can overwrite adjacent memory structures used for control flow.

An attacker who controls the out-of-bounds write can influence execution flow. This typically results in arbitrary code execution within the Animate process. The attacker gains the same privilege level as the local user running the application.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient bounds checking when Animate parses attacker-controlled data inside a project or asset file. The application fails to validate that write offsets remain within the allocated buffer size. Fields controlling structure sizes or offsets are trusted without validation, allowing memory to be corrupted at attacker-influenced locations.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts a malicious Animate-compatible file and delivers it through phishing, drive-by download, or a shared file location. When the victim opens the file in Adobe Animate, the vulnerable parser triggers the out-of-bounds write. Code execution occurs in the user context, providing a foothold on the system.

No verified proof-of-concept has been published, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. See the Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-19 for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-20761

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by Animate.exe on Windows or Adobe Animate on macOS, particularly command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or /bin/sh.
Crashes or unusual memory access violations logged by Adobe Animate around the time a project file is opened.
Adobe Animate performing outbound network connections to unfamiliar external hosts shortly after opening a file.

Detection Strategies

Monitor process ancestry for Adobe Animate spawning shell interpreters, scripting engines, or LOLBins used for post-exploitation.
Alert on Adobe Animate performing file writes to persistence locations such as startup folders, Run registry keys, or launch agent directories.
Inspect email and file-sharing traffic for Adobe Animate project files originating from external, untrusted sources.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable endpoint telemetry for module loads and child-process creation events under Animate.exe.
Track version inventory for Adobe Animate across the fleet and flag hosts still running 24.0 or 23.0.3 and earlier.
Correlate user file-open events with subsequent unusual process or network behavior on creative workstations.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-20761

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the Adobe Animate updates specified in security bulletin APSB24-19 to all affected Windows and macOS endpoints.
Restrict opening of Animate project files received from external or untrusted sources until patches are deployed.
Ensure Adobe Animate is not run under privileged or administrative accounts on creative workstations.

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed versions in security bulletin APSB24-19. Administrators should update Adobe Animate to the versions listed by Adobe as remediated. Verify installations through the Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling.

Workarounds

If patching cannot occur immediately, block delivery of Adobe Animate file types (.fla, .xfl) at email and web gateways from untrusted senders.
Educate users on the risk of opening unsolicited Animate project files and enforce a review process for externally sourced assets.
Apply application allowlisting to prevent Adobe Animate from launching unexpected child processes on high-value hosts.

bash

# Example: query installed Adobe Animate version on Windows
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Animate" /s /v Version

# Example: query installed Adobe Animate version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Animate 2024/Adobe Animate 2024.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString