CVE-2024-47413 Overview
CVE-2024-47413 is a Use After Free vulnerability affecting Adobe Animate versions 23.0.7, 24.0.4, 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 advisory APSB24-76 addressing this issue. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-416] and requires local access with user interaction to exploit.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants attackers arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Adobe Animate, enabling malware installation, data theft, or lateral movement.
Affected Products
- Adobe Animate 23.0.7 and earlier
- Adobe Animate 24.0.4 and earlier
- Runs on Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-09 - CVE-2024-47413 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-47413
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-47413 is a Use After Free (UAF) memory corruption flaw in Adobe Animate. The application references memory after it has been freed, allowing an attacker to control the contents of that memory region. When Animate parses a crafted project or asset file, the freed object is reused with attacker-controlled data. This condition leads to arbitrary code execution within the user's security context.
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. A victim must open a malicious Animate file delivered through phishing, a compromised website, or a shared network location. Attackers commonly weaponize such flaws by embedding malicious payloads in .fla, .xfl, or supporting asset files.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper management of object lifetimes in Animate's file parsing logic. A pointer to a freed heap object remains reachable, and subsequent operations dereference it. When attackers align a controlled allocation over the freed region, the dangling pointer references attacker-supplied data, subverting control flow.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an attacker to craft a malicious Adobe Animate file and convince a user to open it. Once opened, the parser triggers the UAF condition, and the attacker's shaped heap payload is executed. Code runs with the privileges of the user, so accounts with administrative rights face broader impact.
No verified public exploit code is available for CVE-2024-47413. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-76 for vendor technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-47413
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by Animate.exe on Windows or the Adobe Animate binary on macOS, particularly command shells, powershell.exe, or scripting engines.
- Adobe Animate crashes correlated with opening files from untrusted sources such as email attachments or downloads.
- Outbound network connections from the Animate process to unfamiliar hosts shortly after a file open event.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage for Adobe Animate spawning interpreters, LOLBins, or persistence utilities.
- Alert on Animate writing executable files, DLLs, or scripts to user-writable directories such as %APPDATA% or ~/Library.
- Correlate Animate crash telemetry with recent file open activity on .fla, .xfl, or related asset extensions.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Collect and centralize endpoint process, file, and network telemetry from workstations running Adobe Animate.
- Track Adobe Animate version inventory across the fleet to identify hosts still on vulnerable builds.
- Review email and web gateway logs for delivery of Animate project files from external senders.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-47413
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Adobe Animate to the fixed versions listed in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-76.
- Instruct users not to open Animate files received from untrusted or unverified sources.
- Ensure endpoint protection is deployed and up to date on all systems running Adobe Animate.
Patch Information
Adobe addressed CVE-2024-47413 in Adobe Animate updates released alongside advisory APSB24-76. Administrators should deploy the vendor-supplied updates through Adobe Creative Cloud or their managed software distribution channel. Confirm remediation by checking the installed Animate build against the fixed versions documented in the advisory.
Workarounds
- Restrict Animate use to standard user accounts to limit the impact of code execution.
- Block inbound delivery of Adobe Animate project files at email and web gateways where operationally acceptable.
- Apply application allowlisting so Adobe Animate cannot spawn command interpreters or unauthorized child processes.
# Verify installed Adobe Animate version on Windows
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Animate" /s | findstr /i "Version"
# Verify installed Adobe Animate version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Animate 2024/Adobe Animate 2024.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
