CVE-2025-54269: Adobe Animate Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2025-54269 Overview

CVE-2025-54269 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability [CWE-125] affecting Adobe Animate versions 23.0.13, 24.0.10, and earlier. The flaw allows an attacker to read memory outside allocated buffer boundaries when the application parses a crafted file. Successful exploitation can disclose sensitive information stored in process memory. Exploitation requires user interaction: the victim must open a malicious file within Adobe Animate. Adobe addressed the issue in security bulletin APSB25-97.

Critical Impact
An attacker can disclose sensitive memory contents from the Adobe Animate process by convincing a user to open a malicious project file.

Affected Products

Adobe Animate 23.0.13 and earlier
Adobe Animate 24.0.10 and earlier
Adobe Animate on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS

Discovery Timeline

2025-10-15 - CVE-2025-54269 published to NVD
2026-10-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-54269

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read in Adobe Animate's file-parsing logic. When Animate processes a malformed input file, it reads memory beyond the allocated buffer. The attacker does not gain code execution or write access through this flaw. The impact is confined to confidentiality: adjacent process memory may be returned to attacker-controlled parsing paths. Disclosed memory can include pointers, heap metadata, or document content useful for building subsequent exploits. Exploitation is local and requires a user to open a crafted file.

Root Cause

The issue stems from missing or insufficient bounds validation when reading structured data from a file into memory. Adobe has not published the specific function or file format component involved. See the Adobe Security Update APSB25-97 for vendor technical references.

Attack Vector

The attack requires the victim to open a malicious Animate project or asset file. Delivery typically occurs through phishing emails, file-sharing platforms, or compromised asset repositories. No network exposure, elevated privileges, or additional services are required. The disclosed data could support reconnaissance or chaining with memory corruption vulnerabilities. No public proof-of-concept or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported.

No verified exploit code is available. Refer to the vendor advisory for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54269

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected Adobe Animate crashes or abnormal termination when opening third-party .fla, .xfl, or related asset files
Receipt of unsolicited Animate project files via email, chat, or file-sharing services
Animate processes writing crash dumps or exhibiting unusual memory read patterns

Detection Strategies

Inventory endpoints running Adobe Animate and compare installed versions against 23.0.13 and 24.0.10
Alert on Animate processes spawning unexpected child processes or performing anomalous file reads after opening attachments
Correlate email gateway telemetry with endpoint file-open events for Animate-associated extensions

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable endpoint telemetry for Animate.exe process events, including file opens from user download directories
Monitor crash reporting systems for repeated Animate faults that may indicate exploitation attempts
Track execution of Animate from non-standard paths or by non-standard users

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54269

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fixed versions of Adobe Animate released in bulletin APSB25-97 across all Windows and macOS endpoints
Instruct users to avoid opening Animate files received from untrusted sources until patching is complete
Prioritize patching on workstations used by creative teams who routinely exchange Animate assets externally

Patch Information

Adobe addressed CVE-2025-54269 in security bulletin APSB25-97. Review the Adobe Security Update APSB25-97 for the fixed version numbers and download links for Windows and macOS installers.

Workarounds

Block inbound Animate project files at email gateways where business workflows allow
Open suspicious Animate files only in isolated virtual machines without access to sensitive data
Enforce least-privilege user accounts so Animate does not run with elevated permissions

bash

# 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, InstallDate