CVE-2024-30282 Overview
CVE-2024-30282 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] affecting Adobe Animate versions 24.0.2, 23.0.5, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a malicious file. Adobe published the fix in security advisory APSB24-36 on May 16, 2024.
The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, limiting remote exploitation. Successful exploitation compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected host. Adobe Animate deployments on Windows and macOS are in scope.
Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary code with the current user's privileges by tricking the user into opening a crafted Animate project file.
Affected Products
- Adobe Animate 24.0.2 and earlier
- Adobe Animate 23.0.5 and earlier
- Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS installations of the affected versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-05-16 - CVE-2024-30282 published to NVD and Adobe releases security advisory APSB24-36
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-30282
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-30282 is an out-of-bounds write flaw in Adobe Animate's file parsing logic. The application writes data past the end of an allocated memory buffer while processing a malformed project or asset file. Attackers control the out-of-bounds data, enabling corruption of adjacent memory structures.
With careful buffer layout, an attacker can overwrite function pointers, virtual table entries, or return addresses. This corruption steers execution into attacker-controlled code, achieving arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Animate user. Because Animate typically runs as a standard interactive user, exploitation grants access to that user's files and credentials.
The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787. Adobe categorizes it as a priority 3 issue in advisory APSB24-36, indicating no known active exploitation at disclosure. EPSS data reports a probability of 0.349% (percentile 27.959).
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds checking during deserialization of a crafted file format. Animate calculates or trusts a size field from the input file and copies data into a fixed-size buffer without validating that the destination can hold the payload. The write proceeds beyond the allocated region and corrupts adjacent heap or stack memory.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local delivery of a malicious Animate file and user interaction to open it. Common delivery mechanisms include phishing emails with attached .fla or related project files, malicious files hosted on file-sharing services, or supply chain injection into shared design assets. Once opened, the file triggers the out-of-bounds write during parsing.
Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-36 for vendor-provided technical context. No public proof-of-concept exploit is available.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-30282
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
- Animate crashes with access violation exceptions immediately after opening a project file received from an untrusted source
- New persistence artifacts (scheduled tasks, launch agents, registry Run keys) created around the time an Animate document was opened
Detection Strategies
- Alert on process tree anomalies where Animate spawns scripting engines, rundll32, or network utilities
- Correlate Animate crash telemetry with subsequent process creation or outbound network activity on the same host
- Inspect email and web gateways for .fla, .xfl, and related Animate file extensions delivered from external senders
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track installed Adobe Animate versions across endpoints and flag hosts running 24.0.2, 23.0.5, or earlier builds
- Monitor endpoint EDR telemetry for memory corruption indicators such as heap and stack integrity exceptions in the Animate process
- Log file-open events for Animate project formats and retain them for retrospective hunting
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-30282
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Adobe Animate to the fixed builds listed in advisory APSB24-36 (Animate 2024 version 24.0.3 and Animate 2023 version 23.0.6)
- Restrict opening of Animate project files sourced from external or untrusted parties until patching completes
- Confirm endpoint protection is active on all workstations running Adobe Creative Cloud applications
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed versions on May 14, 2024, documented in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-36. Apply updates through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or push them via enterprise deployment tooling. The advisory covers both Windows and macOS platforms.
Workarounds
- Remove Adobe Animate from systems where it is not required to eliminate the attack surface
- Enforce least-privilege user accounts so exploitation does not yield administrative rights
- Use application allowlisting to prevent Animate from launching unapproved child processes such as script interpreters or shells
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
