CVE-2024-52982 Overview
CVE-2024-52982 is an improper input validation vulnerability [CWE-20] in Adobe Animate. The flaw affects Animate versions 23.0.8, 24.0.5, and earlier releases. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a crafted malicious file. Adobe published the fix in security bulletin APSB24-96.
Critical Impact
A local attacker who convinces a user to open a malicious Animate project file can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user, leading to full compromise of the user's session on Windows or macOS.
Affected Products
- Adobe Animate 23.x (versions up to and including 23.0.8)
- Adobe Animate 24.x (versions up to and including 24.0.5)
- Adobe Animate on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-52982 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-52982
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified as improper input validation [CWE-20] in Adobe Animate's file parsing logic. Animate accepts crafted input without adequately validating structural fields or bounds before processing. Malformed data reaches downstream code that assumes well-formed input, resulting in memory corruption or control-flow hijacking. The attacker gains code execution under the identity and permissions of the user running Animate. Because Animate is commonly used by designers with local privileges to install fonts, drivers, and plugins, the impact often extends beyond documents to the broader user profile.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient validation of untrusted content within Animate project files. Fields controlling sizes, offsets, or object types are trusted during deserialization. A malicious file supplies values that violate the parser's assumptions. Adobe's advisory APSB24-96 addresses the issue by strengthening input validation in the affected components.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a crafted Animate file through email, chat, a shared drive, or a download link. The victim opens the file in a vulnerable version of Animate. Parsing the file triggers the flaw and executes attacker-controlled code with the user's privileges. No network access to the target is required beyond delivery of the file.
No public proof-of-concept or exploit code is available for CVE-2024-52982 at time of writing. See the Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-96 for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-52982
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by Animate.exe (Windows) or Adobe Animate (macOS), such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, wscript.exe, bash, or osascript.
- Animate project files (.fla, .xfl) received from untrusted sources, especially through email attachments or messaging platforms.
- Outbound network connections initiated by the Animate process to unfamiliar hosts shortly after a document is opened.
Detection Strategies
- Alert on process-lineage anomalies where Animate is the parent of shell, scripting, or LOLBin processes.
- Monitor for file writes by Animate into autorun locations such as %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup or ~/Library/LaunchAgents.
- Hunt for module loads of unsigned or unusual DLLs and dylibs inside the Animate process space.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Inventory installed Animate versions across endpoints and flag any build at or below 23.0.8 or 24.0.5.
- Ingest endpoint telemetry into a centralized data lake and correlate Animate process activity with file-open events and user identity.
- Track EPSS movement for CVE-2024-52982 and re-evaluate priority if exploitation likelihood increases.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-52982
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Animate to the fixed versions specified in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-96 on all Windows and macOS endpoints.
- Instruct users not to open .fla, .xfl, or related Animate project files received from unverified sources.
- Restrict standard users from running with local administrator rights to limit the blast radius of user-context code execution.
Patch Information
Adobe released patched builds of Animate 2023 and Animate 2024 addressing this issue. Refer to Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-96 for exact fixed version numbers and download instructions through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application.
Workarounds
- No official workaround is published. Apply the vendor patch as the primary remediation.
- Block delivery of Animate project file types at email and web gateways for user populations that do not require them.
- Enforce application allowlisting so that child processes spawned by Animate are constrained to an approved set.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
