CVE-2024-52988: Adobe Animate RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-52988 Overview

CVE-2024-52988 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] affecting Adobe Animate versions 23.0.8, 24.0.5, and earlier. The flaw enables arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, as a victim must open a malicious file crafted by an attacker.

Adobe published fixes in security bulletin APSB24-96. The vulnerability affects Adobe Animate installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS platforms.

Critical Impact
A successful exploit allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Adobe Animate, potentially leading to full compromise of the local user session.

Affected Products

Adobe Animate version 23.0.8 and earlier
Adobe Animate version 24.0.5 and earlier
Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS installations of Adobe Animate

Discovery Timeline

2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-52988 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-52988

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-52988 is an out-of-bounds write memory corruption issue in Adobe Animate. The application writes data past the boundaries of an allocated buffer when processing a malformed input file. Attackers can leverage this condition to overwrite adjacent memory structures used for control flow.

By shaping the file contents carefully, an attacker can steer program execution to attacker-controlled code. Execution occurs with the privileges of the logged-in user who opened the file. On workstations where users operate with administrative rights, the impact extends across the host.

The issue carries confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact because arbitrary code execution grants full control over the process. Adobe classifies this as an important-severity vulnerability in advisory APSB24-96.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds checking during parsing of a file format handled by Adobe Animate. When the parser encounters attacker-supplied length or offset values, it writes beyond the allocated buffer. This corrupts adjacent memory such as heap metadata, function pointers, or vtables.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a malicious project or asset file through email, chat, or a compromised website. The victim opens the file in a vulnerable version of Adobe Animate, at which point the parser triggers the out-of-bounds write and executes attacker-controlled code.

No verified proof-of-concept exploit code is publicly available. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-96 for vendor guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-52988

Indicators of Compromise

Adobe Animate (Animate.exe on Windows, Adobe Animate.app on macOS) spawning unexpected child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or shell interpreters
Unexpected outbound network connections initiated by the Animate process shortly after opening a file
Creation of executable files or scripts in user-writable paths following the opening of an Animate project
Animate process crashes with access violation exceptions when opening specific files

Detection Strategies

Monitor process lineage for Adobe Animate parent processes launching command interpreters or scripting hosts
Alert on file writes by the Animate process to autorun locations, startup folders, or system directories
Inspect endpoint telemetry for module loads of unsigned or unusual DLLs into the Animate process

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable EDR telemetry on all endpoints with Adobe Animate installed and retain process, file, and network events
Track opens of .fla, .xfl, and related Animate file types received from external or untrusted sources
Review crash telemetry from Windows Error Reporting or macOS crash logs for repeated faults in the Animate process

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-52988

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Adobe Animate 2023 to version 23.0.9 or later and Adobe Animate 2024 to version 24.0.6 or later, as directed in Adobe advisory APSB24-96
Inventory all endpoints running Adobe Animate and prioritize patching for users who handle files from external sources
Instruct users to avoid opening Animate files received from untrusted or unverified sources

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed builds in security advisory APSB24-96. Apply the vendor updates through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or by downloading the current release directly from Adobe. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-96 for the full list of patched versions.

Workarounds

Restrict end-user permissions so Adobe Animate does not run under administrative accounts, limiting the impact of code execution
Block delivery of Adobe Animate project files at the email gateway when they originate from untrusted external senders
Use application allowlisting to prevent child processes such as cmd.exe or powershell.exe from launching under Animate.exe

bash

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

# Verify installed Adobe Animate version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Animate 2024/Adobe Animate 2024.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString