CVE-2024-49552: Adobe Media Encoder Buffer Overflow Flaw

CVE-2024-49552 Overview

CVE-2024-49552 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Adobe Media Encoder versions 25.0, 24.6.3, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a crafted media file. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-122] (Heap-Based Buffer Overflow) and [CWE-787] (Out-of-Bounds Write). Adobe addressed the issue in security advisory APSB24-93.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to full system compromise if run under an administrative account.

Affected Products

Adobe Media Encoder 25.0
Adobe Media Encoder 24.6.3 and earlier
Windows and macOS installations of Media Encoder

Discovery Timeline

2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-49552 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-49552

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-49552 is a heap-based buffer overflow in the file parsing logic of Adobe Media Encoder. The application allocates a heap buffer to hold data derived from a media file, then writes beyond the allocated size when processing malformed structures. This out-of-bounds write corrupts adjacent heap metadata and application objects. An attacker who controls the overflowing data can steer execution flow and run arbitrary code within the Media Encoder process.

Exploitation requires user interaction. A victim must open or import a malicious media file supplied by the attacker. The attack vector is local because the file must be processed on the target system. No prior authentication is required, and the resulting code runs at the privilege level of the current user.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient bounds validation during parsing of media container or codec-specific structures. Media Encoder trusts length or offset fields inside the file without confirming they fit the destination buffer. When the parser copies attacker-controlled bytes based on these fields, it writes past the heap allocation boundary, meeting the conditions of both [CWE-122] and [CWE-787].

Attack Vector

An attacker crafts a media file containing malformed metadata designed to trigger the overflow. The file is delivered through phishing email, watering-hole downloads, shared project archives, or removable media. When the victim opens the file in Media Encoder, the parser processes the malicious structure and overflows the heap buffer. Careful shaping of the heap layout allows the attacker to overwrite function pointers or object vtables and redirect execution to attacker-controlled code.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is available at the time of publication, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS probability is 0.428% (percentile 35.35).

Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-93 for vendor-provided technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49552

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by Adobe Media Encoder.exe such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or rundll32.exe
Media Encoder process crashes with heap corruption exceptions logged in Windows Event Viewer or macOS crash reports
Media project files or codec containers received from untrusted sources immediately preceding process instability
Outbound network connections from the Media Encoder process to unfamiliar external hosts

Detection Strategies

Monitor process lineage where Adobe Media Encoder.exe is the parent of shell, script, or LOLBin processes
Alert on unsigned or newly written executables and DLLs created in Media Encoder working directories
Correlate file open events for media containers with subsequent anomalous memory allocation or crash telemetry

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable EDR telemetry for module loads and process creations under all Adobe Creative Cloud application paths
Track version inventory of Adobe Media Encoder across endpoints to confirm patched builds are deployed
Log and review email and web gateway detections for uncommon media file types delivered to creative and post-production teams

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49552

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe Media Encoder to the fixed release identified in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-93
Instruct users to open media files only from trusted sources and to verify project archives before importing
Restrict end-user accounts running Media Encoder to standard, non-administrative privileges
Validate that endpoint protection and application-control policies are active on workstations that process media assets

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed versions of Media Encoder as documented in advisory APSB24-93. Administrators should deploy the update through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling. Confirm the installed version is later than 25.0 and 24.6.3 after patching.

Workarounds

Block or quarantine inbound media files from untrusted senders at email and web gateways until patching is complete
Disable automatic association of unknown media container formats with Media Encoder
Isolate media processing workstations from sensitive network segments to limit lateral movement in the event of exploitation

bash

# Verify installed Adobe Media Encoder version on Windows
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Media Encoder" /s | findstr /i "Version"

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