CVE-2024-53954: Adobe Animate RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-53954 Overview

CVE-2024-53954 is an integer underflow vulnerability [CWE-191] affecting Adobe Animate versions 23.0.8, 24.0.5, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a crafted file. Exploitation requires user interaction, which limits remote attack scenarios but remains practical through phishing and social engineering.

Adobe disclosed the issue in security bulletin APSB24-96. The vulnerability affects installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS platforms. No public proof-of-concept exists, and the flaw is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants attackers arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user, enabling malware installation, data theft, or lateral movement.

Affected Products

Adobe Animate 23.0.8 and earlier (version 23.x)
Adobe Animate 24.0.5 and earlier (version 24.x)
Deployments on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS

Discovery Timeline

2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-53954 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-53954

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-53954 is classified as an Integer Underflow (Wrap or Wraparound) [CWE-191]. The defect occurs when arithmetic operations on unsigned integers produce values below zero, wrapping to very large positive numbers. When these wrapped values are used as buffer sizes or offsets, subsequent memory operations write outside intended bounds.

The underflow condition is reached during parsing of a malicious Animate project or asset file. Attackers craft file structures containing length fields or size descriptors that trigger the arithmetic error during deserialization. Corrupted memory management then permits attacker-controlled data to overwrite adjacent structures, including function pointers or return addresses.

Exploitation runs code in the security context of the user executing Adobe Animate. On systems where designers operate with administrative privileges, the impact expands to full system compromise. The attack vector is local, requiring the victim to open the malicious file.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing validation of size or length values before arithmetic operations in Adobe Animate's file parsing logic. When a specially constructed input causes a subtraction to underflow, the resulting large value bypasses length checks. Adobe has not published detailed technical analysis of the affected component.

Attack Vector

An attacker delivers a crafted Animate file through email, malicious websites, or shared storage. Opening the file in a vulnerable version of Animate triggers the underflow during parsing. Code execution occurs before the user sees any visible content.

See Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-96 for advisory details. No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-53954

Indicators of Compromise

Adobe Animate processes (Animate.exe, Adobe Animate) spawning child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or shell interpreters
Unexpected outbound network connections initiated by the Animate process shortly after a file is opened
Creation of executable files or scripts in user-writable directories following Animate file activity

Detection Strategies

Monitor endpoint telemetry for anomalous process creation chains originating from Adobe Animate
Alert on Animate loading unexpected DLLs or accessing sensitive system APIs outside its normal behavior profile
Inspect email gateways and file shares for Adobe Animate project files (.fla, .xfl, .as) from untrusted sources

Monitoring Recommendations

Log Adobe Animate version telemetry across managed endpoints and flag hosts running versions at or below 23.0.8 and 24.0.5
Correlate file-open events with subsequent process, file, and network activity to identify exploitation attempts
Track user reports of Animate crashes, which may indicate failed exploitation of the underflow condition

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-53954

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe Animate to the fixed versions identified in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-96
Inventory all endpoints running Adobe Animate and prioritize patching for creative and design teams
Instruct users to avoid opening Animate files from untrusted email attachments, download sites, or shared drives

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed builds of Animate addressing this integer underflow. Refer to Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-96 for exact patched version numbers and download links. Apply updates through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling.

Workarounds

Restrict Adobe Animate to standard user accounts to limit the impact of successful exploitation
Use application allowlisting to prevent Animate from spawning script interpreters or unauthorized executables
Block inbound Animate file types at email gateways when they originate from external senders and are not business-required

bash

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

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