CVE-2025-30328: Adobe Animate RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-30328 Overview

CVE-2025-30328 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] in Adobe Animate that can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The flaw affects Adobe Animate versions 24.0.8, 23.0.11, and earlier on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a malicious file crafted by the attacker. Adobe addressed the issue in security advisory APSB25-42.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution under the privileges of the logged-in user, enabling malware installation, data theft, or lateral movement from the compromised workstation.

Affected Products

Adobe Animate 24.0.8 and earlier 24.x releases
Adobe Animate 23.0.11 and earlier 23.x releases
Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS installations of the affected versions

Discovery Timeline

2025-05-13 - CVE-2025-30328 published to NVD
2025-05-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30328

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write condition within Adobe Animate's file parsing logic. When Animate processes a malformed project or asset file, the application writes data beyond the bounds of an allocated buffer. This corruption of adjacent memory regions can be steered by an attacker to overwrite control data such as function pointers, vtable entries, or return addresses. Once execution flow is redirected, attacker-supplied shellcode runs with the privileges of the user who opened the file.

Because Adobe Animate often runs on creative workstations with access to source assets, code repositories, and signing material, compromise of these endpoints provides high-value footholds for further intrusion.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of size or index values during parsing of a structured file format handled by Animate [CWE-787]. The parser fails to enforce buffer boundaries before performing a write operation, allowing attacker-controlled bytes to overflow into adjacent memory. Adobe has not published a detailed root-cause analysis beyond the advisory.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts a malicious Animate file and delivers it through phishing email, file-sharing platforms, supply-chain compromise of asset libraries, or watering-hole distribution. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable Animate version, the parser triggers the out-of-bounds write and the attacker's payload executes in the user's session. No network exposure of Animate is required.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available for CVE-2025-30328, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Refer to Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-42 for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30328

Indicators of Compromise

Adobe Animate process (Animate.exe on Windows, Adobe Animate on macOS) spawning unexpected child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, bash, or osascript.
Animate processes initiating outbound network connections to untrusted hosts shortly after opening a file.
Crash dumps or Windows Error Reporting (WER) entries referencing access violations in Animate modules.
Animate writing executable files, scripts, or scheduled task entries to user-writable directories.

Detection Strategies

Monitor for anomalous process lineage where Animate is the parent of shell, scripting, or LOLBin processes.
Hunt for Animate accessing sensitive credential stores, browser profile data, or SSH keys after document open events.
Inspect mail and file-sharing gateways for .fla, .xfl, and related Animate project files originating from external senders.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable application crash telemetry and forward Animate fault events to a centralized SIEM for correlation.
Track installed Adobe Animate build numbers across the fleet and alert on hosts still running versions at or below 24.0.8 or 23.0.11.
Correlate endpoint detection events with email gateway logs to identify users who received and opened suspicious Animate files.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30328

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the patched Adobe Animate releases distributed through Creative Cloud as documented in APSB25-42.
Inventory all endpoints with Adobe Animate installed and prioritize patching for hosts handling externally sourced project files.
Instruct designers and animators to avoid opening Animate files from untrusted email, downloads, or external collaborators until patching is complete.

Patch Information

Adobe published fixed versions of Animate in security bulletin APSB25-42 on May 13, 2025. Update through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or the Adobe Admin Console for managed deployments. Verify the installed build in Help > About Adobe Animate after updating.

Workarounds

Restrict execution of Adobe Animate to users who require it through application allowlisting policies such as Windows AppLocker or macOS profiles.
Open untrusted Animate files only inside isolated virtual machines or sandboxed environments disconnected from production networks.
Configure mail and web gateways to quarantine Adobe Animate project files received from external sources pending review.

bash

# Configuration example: query installed Adobe Animate version on Windows endpoints
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
  Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "Adobe Animate*" } |
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, InstallLocation