CVE-2024-45156 Overview
CVE-2024-45156 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability [CWE-476] affecting Adobe Animate versions 23.0.8, 24.0.5, and earlier. The flaw can result in 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. Adobe published the vendor advisory APSB24-96 addressing this issue.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution under the current user's privileges after opening a malicious Animate file, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected workstation.
Affected Products
- Adobe Animate 23.0.8 and earlier
- Adobe Animate 24.0.5 and earlier
- Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS installations running affected Animate versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-45156 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-45156
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability originates in Adobe Animate's file parsing logic. When Animate processes a malformed input file, a code path dereferences a pointer without validating that it is non-null. The dereference occurs during handling of attacker-controlled file content. While a NULL Pointer Dereference typically causes a process crash, the affected code path here allows the condition to be leveraged for arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The attack is local and requires the victim to open the crafted file, but no elevated privileges are needed prior to exploitation.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing pointer validation [CWE-476] in Adobe Animate's parsing routines for project or asset files. A malformed structure causes an internal allocation or lookup to return a null pointer, which the code subsequently dereferences without a defensive check. Downstream memory operations on that pointer create a state that an attacker can shape into arbitrary code execution.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires the attacker to deliver a malicious Animate-compatible file to a victim, typically through phishing, a shared drive, or a compromised web download. When the user opens the file in a vulnerable version of Animate, the parser reaches the flawed code path and triggers the null dereference. The attacker's payload then executes with the user's privileges. No network access to the target is required.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-96 for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-45156
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by Animate.exe on Windows or Adobe Animate on macOS, especially command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or /bin/sh.
- Adobe Animate crash events followed by new persistence entries in Run registry keys, scheduled tasks, or macOS LaunchAgents.
- Animate project files (.fla, .xfl) arriving via email attachments or web downloads from unverified senders.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage for Adobe Animate spawning shells, scripting hosts, or LOLBins that are inconsistent with normal creative workflows.
- Alert on Animate reading unusual file paths or writing executables to user-writable directories such as %APPDATA% or ~/Library/Application Support/.
- Correlate Windows Error Reporting or macOS ReportCrash events for Animate with subsequent process creation activity within a short time window.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest endpoint process, file, and module-load telemetry into a central data lake to enable retrospective hunting against Animate-related activity.
- Track software inventory to identify hosts still running Animate 23.0.8, 24.0.5, or earlier versions.
- Enable mail gateway and web proxy logging of Animate project file types to trace initial delivery.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-45156
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Animate to the fixed versions listed in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-96 on all Windows and macOS endpoints.
- Instruct users not to open Animate files received from untrusted sources until patching is complete.
- Inventory endpoints running affected Animate versions and prioritize patching for users who routinely handle external files.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed versions of Animate as part of security bulletin APSB24-96. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-96 for the exact fixed build numbers, download locations, and product-specific installation guidance.
Workarounds
- Restrict opening of Animate project files (.fla, .xfl, .as) to files originating from trusted internal sources until patches are deployed.
- Enforce least-privilege on creative workstations so that user-context code execution cannot immediately pivot to administrative actions.
- Apply application allowlisting to block Animate from launching unrelated interpreters or system binaries.
# Windows: check installed Adobe Animate version
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" /s /f "Adobe Animate"
# macOS: check installed Adobe Animate version
mdls -name kMDItemVersion "/Applications/Adobe Animate 2024/Adobe Animate 2024.app"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
