CVE-2024-52983 Overview
CVE-2024-52983 is an integer overflow vulnerability [CWE-190] affecting Adobe Animate versions 23.0.8, 24.0.5, and earlier. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a malicious file crafted by the attacker. The flaw affects Adobe Animate installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS.
Critical Impact
An attacker can achieve arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user by convincing that user to open a malicious Animate file.
Affected Products
- Adobe Animate 23.0.8 and earlier
- Adobe Animate 24.0.5 and earlier
- Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS host platforms
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-52983 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-52983
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-52983 is classified under [CWE-190] Integer Overflow or Wraparound. The defect resides in Adobe Animate's file parsing logic. When Animate processes attacker-controlled values from a crafted file, an arithmetic operation exceeds the maximum representable size for its integer type. The value wraps around, producing an incorrect and undersized result.
Downstream code paths rely on this wrapped value to size allocations or index into buffers. The mismatch between the calculated size and the data actually written creates memory corruption. An attacker who controls the corrupted memory region can steer execution flow to attacker-supplied instructions. Adobe's advisory confirms the outcome is arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient validation of size-related integer arithmetic during file parsing. Animate trusts values derived from the input file when computing buffer sizes or offsets, without bounds checks that would detect an overflow condition.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a malicious Animate project or asset file through phishing email, file sharing, or a compromised website. The victim opens the file in a vulnerable Animate version, which triggers the overflow during parsing and executes attacker code with the user's privileges.
No verified proof-of-concept has been published, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Refer to the Adobe Animate Security Update APSB24-96 for vendor technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-52983
Indicators of Compromise
- Adobe Animate processes (Animate.exe on Windows, Adobe Animate on macOS) spawning unexpected child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or shell interpreters.
- Animate loading files from untrusted directories including email attachment paths, browser download folders, or removable media.
- Unexpected outbound network connections initiated by the Animate process shortly after a file is opened.
- Creation of new persistence artifacts (scheduled tasks, Run keys, LaunchAgents) coinciding with Animate execution.
Detection Strategies
- Hunt for Animate process trees that deviate from documented parent-child patterns, especially any invocation of scripting hosts or living-off-the-land binaries.
- Alert on Animate writing executable content (.exe, .dll, .dylib, .scr) to user-writable paths.
- Correlate email or web download telemetry with subsequent Animate file-open events to surface phishing delivery chains.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable process command-line and image-load logging on endpoints running Adobe Animate.
- Monitor file system events for Animate reads of files originating from external senders or web downloads.
- Track Animate version inventory across the fleet to identify hosts still running 23.0.8, 24.0.5, or earlier builds.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-52983
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Animate to the fixed versions listed in the Adobe Animate Security Update APSB24-96.
- Inventory all Windows and macOS endpoints running Animate and prioritize patching for hosts handling files from external sources.
- Instruct users not to open Animate files received from untrusted senders until patching is complete.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed builds of Animate 23.x and 24.x in security bulletin APSB24-96. Administrators should deploy the vendor-supplied installers or use Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop to push the updated versions. Verify the installed build number after update to confirm remediation.
Workarounds
- Restrict Animate use to trusted project files sourced from internal repositories only.
- Apply application allow-listing to prevent Animate from spawning shell interpreters or scripting hosts.
- Run Animate under a standard user account rather than an administrative account to limit the impact of successful exploitation.
- Enforce email and web gateway filtering to block or quarantine inbound Adobe Animate file formats from external senders.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
