CVE-2024-52986 Overview
CVE-2024-52986 is an integer underflow vulnerability [CWE-191] affecting Adobe Animate versions 23.0.8, 24.0.5, and earlier. An attacker can achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user by crafting a malicious file. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically that a victim opens the malicious file in a vulnerable Animate installation. Adobe published fixes in security advisory APSB24-96.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution under the privileges of the user running Adobe Animate on Windows or macOS.
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-2024-52986 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-52986
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw is an integer underflow (wrap or wraparound) condition within Adobe Animate's file parsing logic. When Animate processes a specially crafted project or asset file, an arithmetic operation on a size or length value drops below zero and wraps to a large unsigned integer. That corrupted value is then used in downstream memory operations, producing an inconsistent state that the attacker can leverage for code execution.
Exploitation is local and requires user interaction. A victim must open a malicious file in Adobe Animate. The resulting code executes with the privileges of the current user, so an attacker who compromises an account with administrative rights gains full control of the host.
Root Cause
The root cause is unchecked arithmetic on a size or offset field parsed from an untrusted file. Subtracting an attacker-controlled value from a smaller integer causes the result to underflow. Adobe's advisory APSB24-96 addresses the flaw by correcting the affected boundary calculation.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is Local with user interaction. Typical delivery is social engineering — phishing emails carrying a crafted Animate project, or files hosted on attacker-controlled sites. No network access to the victim system is required beyond delivering the file.
No public proof-of-concept exploit and no known in-the-wild exploitation have been reported. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-96 for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-52986
Indicators of Compromise
- Adobe Animate (Animate.exe on Windows, Adobe Animate on macOS) spawning unexpected child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or shell interpreters.
- Unusual file writes or process launches immediately following the opening of an .fla, .xfl, or related Animate project file from an untrusted source.
- Outbound network connections initiated by the Animate process to unfamiliar hosts shortly after file open.
Detection Strategies
- Hunt for process-lineage anomalies where Animate parents non-standard binaries, since legitimate Animate workflows rarely spawn interactive shells.
- Correlate email or browser download telemetry with subsequent Animate file-open events to surface likely social-engineering delivery.
- Alert on Animate process crashes or exception events, which may indicate exploitation attempts against the underflow condition.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Log and review Adobe Animate version inventory across endpoints to identify hosts still running 23.0.8, 24.0.5, or earlier.
- Monitor endpoint EDR telemetry for suspicious module loads and memory allocations inside the Animate process.
- Track opens of Animate project files that originate from email attachments, removable media, or web downloads.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-52986
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Animate to the fixed versions listed in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-96 on all Windows and macOS systems.
- Restrict opening of Animate project files received from external or untrusted sources until patching is complete.
- Enforce least-privilege on workstations so that a compromised user session cannot escalate to administrative control of the host.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixes in security bulletin APSB24-96 for Adobe Animate. Administrators should deploy the updated builds through Adobe Creative Cloud or their managed software distribution system. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-96 for exact fixed version numbers and download links.
Workarounds
- Block delivery of Adobe Animate project files at the email gateway for users who do not require them.
- Train users to reject unsolicited .fla, .xfl, and related Animate files, since exploitation requires the victim to open a crafted file.
- Apply application-allowlisting to prevent Animate from spawning shell or scripting interpreters as child processes.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
