CVE-2024-30293: Adobe Animate Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2024-30293 Overview

CVE-2024-30293 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Adobe Animate versions 24.0.2, 23.0.5, and earlier. The flaw can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a malicious file crafted by an attacker.

The issue is tracked under [CWE-121] (Stack-based Buffer Overflow) and [CWE-787] (Out-of-bounds Write). Adobe published a fix in security bulletin APSB24-36. The vulnerability affects Adobe Animate installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS platforms.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to full workstation compromise on Windows and macOS endpoints running Adobe Animate.

Affected Products

Adobe Animate 24.0.2 and earlier
Adobe Animate 23.0.5 and earlier
Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows hosts running the affected Animate versions

Discovery Timeline

2024-05-16 - CVE-2024-30293 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-30293

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-30293 is a stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Animate's file parsing logic. When Animate processes a specially crafted project or asset file, a length or size check fails to constrain data written to a fixed-size stack buffer. The resulting out-of-bounds write corrupts adjacent stack memory, including saved return addresses and control data.

Attackers who control the overflow contents can redirect execution flow and run arbitrary code in the security context of the user running Animate. Because the attack vector is local and requires user interaction, delivery typically relies on phishing, malicious downloads, or shared project files.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper bounds checking during parsing of untrusted file content. The application copies attacker-controlled data into a stack-allocated buffer without validating that the source length fits the destination. This class of defect corresponds to [CWE-121] and [CWE-787], where an out-of-bounds write overwrites stack metadata used by the runtime for control-flow decisions.

Attack Vector

An attacker crafts a malicious Animate-compatible file and delivers it to the target through email, messaging, file-sharing, or a website. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable Animate build, the parser triggers the stack overflow. No network access to the target is required, and no prior privileges on the host are needed. The attacker gains code execution as the current user, which can be used for credential theft, persistence, or lateral movement.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this issue. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-36 for vendor technical guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-30293

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by Animate.exe on Windows or the Animate binary on macOS, such as command shells, scripting engines, or rundll32.exe.
Crash dumps or Windows Error Reporting entries referencing Animate with access-violation exceptions during file open operations.
Adobe Animate project files (.fla, .xfl) received from untrusted sources or opened from temporary or download directories.
Outbound network connections initiated by the Animate process shortly after a document open event.

Detection Strategies

Alert on process-lineage anomalies where Animate spawns interpreters (powershell.exe, cmd.exe, wscript.exe, bash, osascript).
Monitor for module loads of LOLBins or unsigned DLLs into the Animate process space.
Inspect file-open telemetry for Animate project files sourced from email attachments, browser downloads, or removable media.

Monitoring Recommendations

Centralize endpoint process and file telemetry from Windows and macOS workstations that have Animate installed.
Correlate Animate crash events with subsequent process creation and network activity within a short time window.
Track Adobe Animate version inventory to identify hosts still running builds at or below 24.0.2 and 23.0.5.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-30293

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Adobe Animate to the fixed release documented in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-36.
Inventory all Windows and macOS endpoints running Adobe Animate and prioritize creative and design workstations for patching.
Instruct users to avoid opening Animate files received from unknown or untrusted sources until patches are applied.

Patch Information

Adobe addressed CVE-2024-30293 in the updates listed in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-36. Administrators should deploy the fixed Animate build to all affected endpoints and confirm the version post-installation.

Workarounds

Restrict opening of Animate project files to those from verified internal sources until patched builds are deployed.
Apply application allowlisting to prevent Animate from launching child interpreters or unsigned binaries.
Run Animate under standard user accounts rather than administrative accounts to limit post-exploitation impact.

bash

# Verify installed Adobe Animate version on Windows via PowerShell
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
  Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "*Adobe Animate*" } |
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, InstallDate

# Verify installed Adobe Animate version on macOS
mdls -name kMDItemVersion "/Applications/Adobe Animate 2024/Adobe Animate 2024.app"