CVE-2024-52984 Overview
CVE-2024-52984 is an integer underflow vulnerability [CWE-191] affecting Adobe Animate versions 23.0.8, 24.0.5, and earlier. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user when a victim opens a malicious file. Adobe published the fix in security advisory APSB24-96. The vulnerability affects Adobe Animate installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS platforms.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation leads to arbitrary code execution under the privileges of the user running Adobe Animate. Attackers can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected host.
Affected Products
- Adobe Animate 23.0.8 and earlier
- Adobe Animate 24.0.5 and earlier
- Adobe Animate on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-52984 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-52984
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is an integer underflow (wrap or wraparound) condition categorized under [CWE-191]. An arithmetic operation within Adobe Animate produces a value smaller than the minimum representable integer, causing the value to wrap to a large unsigned number. Downstream code uses this wrapped value in memory operations, resulting in memory corruption. Attackers craft a malicious Animate project or asset file that triggers the underflow during parsing. Once memory corruption occurs, adversaries can redirect execution to attacker-controlled code and run arbitrary commands with the privileges of the current user.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing validation on a size or length field prior to arithmetic operations that produce negative intermediate values. When the operation underflows, the resulting value bypasses bounds checks and is used as a buffer size or index, leading to controllable memory corruption.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. A victim must open a crafted file in Adobe Animate. Delivery typically occurs through phishing, malicious downloads, or shared project files. No authentication or elevated privileges are required from the attacker.
See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-96 for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-52984
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by Animate.exe (Windows) or the Adobe Animate process (macOS), such as command shells, PowerShell, or scripting engines.
- Anomalous file writes or network connections originating from the Animate process shortly after opening a project file.
- Crash reports or Windows Error Reporting entries referencing Adobe Animate memory access violations.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage for Adobe Animate spawning interpreters (cmd.exe, powershell.exe, bash, osascript).
- Alert on Adobe Animate opening files from untrusted locations such as email attachments, browser downloads, or removable media.
- Correlate Animate crashes with subsequent execution of unsigned binaries or scripts on the same host.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Collect EDR telemetry covering process creation, image loads, and file writes from Adobe Animate processes.
- Track user-opened file paths and file hashes associated with Animate sessions for retrospective hunting.
- Ingest endpoint logs into a centralized data lake to enable cross-host correlation of anomalous Animate activity.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-52984
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Animate to the patched versions released in Adobe advisory APSB24-96.
- Restrict opening Animate files that originate from untrusted senders or unknown sources.
- Enforce least-privilege user accounts on workstations running Adobe Animate to limit post-exploitation impact.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixes in security bulletin APSB24-96. Administrators should upgrade Adobe Animate beyond versions 23.0.8 and 24.0.5 on all Windows and macOS systems. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-96 for the fixed release versions and download links.
Workarounds
- Block inbound email attachments with Animate project extensions (.fla, .xfl) at the mail gateway until patching completes.
- Configure application control policies to prevent Adobe Animate from launching child processes such as shells and script interpreters.
- Isolate designers who handle third-party Animate files on dedicated workstations with network segmentation.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
