CVE-2025-43557 Overview
CVE-2025-43557 is an Access of Uninitialized Pointer vulnerability [CWE-824] 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 crafted file. Exploitation requires user interaction, limiting opportunistic attacks but aligning with phishing and supply-chain delivery patterns common against creative software users.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-on user, enabling code installation, data theft, or lateral movement from creative workstations.
Affected Products
- Adobe Animate 24.0.8 and earlier 24.x versions
- Adobe Animate 23.0.11 and earlier 23.x versions
- Runs on Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-13 - CVE-2025-43557 published to NVD
- 2025-05-13 - Adobe publishes Security Advisory APSB25-42
- 2025-05-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-43557
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-824] Access of Uninitialized Pointer. Adobe Animate dereferences a pointer that has not been initialized to a known-good value before use. When a victim opens a malicious Animate project file, the parser reaches code paths that operate on memory regions whose contents are attacker-influenced or unpredictable.
Dereferencing an uninitialized pointer can be steered toward attacker-controlled memory through heap grooming and crafted file structures. The result is corruption of program control flow, which an attacker can convert into arbitrary code execution in the user's security context.
The issue is local in attack vector but network-deliverable in practice. Adversaries typically distribute weaponized .fla or related Animate files through email, collaboration platforms, or trojanized asset packs targeting designers and animators.
Root Cause
The root cause is a missing initialization step in Animate's file parsing logic. A pointer variable is read and dereferenced before being assigned a valid object reference, producing undefined behavior that an attacker can shape into a write-what-where primitive.
Attack Vector
An attacker crafts a malicious Animate file and delivers it to a target user. The user must open the file in a vulnerable Animate build. Once parsed, the uninitialized pointer dereference is triggered, and shellcode executes under the user account, with no additional privileges required to reach the vulnerable code path.
No public proof-of-concept exploit, CISA KEV listing, or Exploit-DB entry exists for CVE-2025-43557 at the time of writing.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43557
Indicators of Compromise
- Adobe Animate process (Animate.exe on Windows, Adobe Animate on macOS) spawning command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or /bin/sh
- Unexpected child processes performing network connections, file writes to %APPDATA%, %TEMP%, or ~/Library/Application Support/
- Animate process crashes correlated with the opening of externally received .fla, .xfl, or related project files
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for anomalous process trees originating from Adobe Animate using behavioral endpoint identification rules
- Flag inbound delivery of Animate project files from untrusted senders through email and collaboration platforms
- Correlate Animate crash telemetry with subsequent process or persistence creation events on the same host
Monitoring Recommendations
- Centralize endpoint telemetry from creative workstations, which are often excluded from standard EDR coverage
- Track installed Animate versions across the fleet and alert on hosts running 24.0.8, 23.0.11, or earlier
- Review email gateway logs for attachments matching Animate file extensions originating from external domains
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43557
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Animate to the fixed versions identified in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-42
- Inventory all macOS and Windows endpoints running Adobe Animate and prioritize patching of designer and contractor systems
- Instruct users not to open Animate project files received from unverified sources until patching is complete
Patch Information
Adobe addressed CVE-2025-43557 in the May 2025 security update for Animate. Refer to Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-42 for the fixed version numbers and download links for both macOS and Windows installers.
Workarounds
- Run Adobe Animate under a standard user account rather than an administrator account to limit post-exploitation impact
- Block or quarantine Animate project file attachments at the email gateway pending review
- Open untrusted Animate files only in isolated virtual machines disconnected from corporate resources
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
