CVE-2025-43555 Overview
CVE-2025-43555 is an integer underflow vulnerability [CWE-191] affecting Adobe Animate versions 24.0.8, 23.0.11, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a malicious file. Exploitation requires user interaction, limiting the attack to local vectors where an attacker must convince a target to open a crafted Animate project file.
The vulnerability affects Adobe Animate installations on both Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows platforms. Adobe addressed this issue in security advisory APSB25-42, released alongside the May 2025 patch cycle.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation leads to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Adobe Animate, enabling attackers to install malware, exfiltrate data, or pivot within the network.
Affected Products
- Adobe Animate 24.0.8 and earlier
- Adobe Animate 23.0.11 and earlier
- Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows installations of the affected Animate versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-13 - CVE-2025-43555 published to NVD
- 2025-05-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-43555
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified as an integer underflow, also known as wrap or wraparound [CWE-191]. Integer underflows occur when an arithmetic operation produces a value below the minimum representable value for the data type, causing the result to wrap to a large positive value. In Adobe Animate, this miscalculation occurs during parsing of crafted file content, leading to incorrect memory allocation or boundary calculations.
When the underflowed value is used to size a buffer or index into memory, downstream operations write outside intended boundaries. This corruption is leveraged to redirect execution flow and run attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the Animate process.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of length or size fields parsed from untrusted file input. Adobe Animate performs arithmetic on these values without enforcing minimum bounds, allowing a subtraction to wrap below zero. The resulting oversized value is treated as legitimate by subsequent memory routines.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a malicious Animate project file through phishing email, malicious websites, or shared file repositories. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable version of Animate, the parser triggers the underflow and executes embedded shellcode or attacker-supplied payloads. No network access or elevated privileges are required prior to exploitation.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43555
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by Animate.exe or the macOS Animate binary, particularly command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or /bin/sh.
- Animate process performing outbound network connections to unfamiliar hosts shortly after opening a project file.
- Creation of executable files, scheduled tasks, or LaunchAgents from within the Animate process context.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage for Adobe Animate spawning unusual child processes or loading unsigned DLLs and dylibs.
- Hunt for Animate project files (.fla, .xfl) originating from email attachments or downloads opened on systems running unpatched versions.
- Alert on memory access violations or crash dumps generated by Animate, which may indicate exploitation attempts.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed process creation logging on endpoints running Adobe Animate, including command-line arguments.
- Correlate file open events on .fla and related project formats with subsequent process activity.
- Track installed versions of Adobe Animate across the fleet and flag hosts running 24.0.8, 23.0.11, or earlier.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43555
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Adobe Animate updates referenced in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-42 to all affected Windows and macOS systems.
- Inventory all Adobe Animate installations and prioritize patching for users who handle externally sourced project files.
- Restrict opening of Animate files received from untrusted sources until patching is verified.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed versions of Animate on May 13, 2025, addressing this vulnerability. Refer to Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-42 for exact patched build numbers and download instructions. Apply the updates through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling.
Workarounds
- Block delivery of Adobe Animate project files (.fla, .xfl) at email gateways for users who do not require them.
- Train users to avoid opening unsolicited Animate files and to verify source authenticity before launching project files.
- Run Adobe Animate under a standard user account rather than an administrator account to limit the impact of successful exploitation.
# Example: Query installed Adobe Animate version on Windows via PowerShell
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "*Adobe Animate*" } |
Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, InstallLocation
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
