CVE-2025-61804 Overview
CVE-2025-61804 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability [CWE-122] affecting Adobe Animate versions 23.0.13, 24.0.10, and earlier. Attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user by tricking a victim into opening a malicious file. The vulnerability impacts Adobe Animate on both Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows platforms. Exploitation requires user interaction, limiting the attack to local file-based delivery vectors such as phishing campaigns or social engineering. Adobe addressed this issue in security bulletin APSB25-97.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Adobe Animate, leading to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the host.
Affected Products
- Adobe Animate 23.0.13 and earlier
- Adobe Animate 24.0.10 and earlier
- Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows installations running affected Animate versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-10-15 - CVE-2025-61804 published to NVD
- 2025-10-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-61804
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow classified under [CWE-122]. Adobe Animate fails to properly validate the size of data written to a heap-allocated buffer when parsing a crafted project or asset file. Attackers can construct a malicious file containing oversized or malformed structures that exceed allocated buffer bounds during parsing.
The overflow corrupts adjacent heap memory, including object metadata and function pointers managed by the heap allocator. Skilled attackers can shape the heap layout to overwrite control data and redirect execution to attacker-controlled code. The result is arbitrary code execution within the security context of the user running Animate.
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. A victim must open the malicious file in Adobe Animate for exploitation to succeed. EPSS data places exploit likelihood at 0.243%, reflecting the user-interaction requirement.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient bounds checking in a file-parsing routine that writes attacker-controlled data into a fixed-size heap buffer. Without proper length validation against the destination allocation, malformed input overruns the buffer and corrupts heap structures.
Attack Vector
Attackers deliver a weaponized Animate project file through phishing emails, shared drives, or compromised websites. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable Animate version, the parser triggers the heap overflow and executes the embedded payload with the user's privileges. No network access or prior authentication is required.
No public proof-of-concept or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported. See the Adobe Security Update APSB25-97 for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-61804
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by Animate.exe or the macOS Animate process, particularly command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or /bin/sh
- Animate process crashes or abnormal termination events immediately following the opening of a project file
- Adobe Animate project files (.fla, .xfl) received from untrusted sources or external email attachments
- Outbound network connections initiated by the Animate process to unknown hosts shortly after file open
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process creation events where Adobe Animate is the parent process and the child is a scripting host or shell
- Inspect endpoint telemetry for memory access violations, heap corruption signals, or crash dumps originating from Animate
- Apply behavioral analytics to flag file-open events involving Animate project files from email or browser download paths
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed process and file telemetry on endpoints with Adobe Animate installed
- Correlate email gateway logs with endpoint file-open events to detect phishing-delivered Animate project files
- Track installed Animate versions across the fleet and alert on hosts still running 23.0.13, 24.0.10, or earlier
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-61804
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Animate to the fixed versions identified in Adobe Security Update APSB25-97
- Restrict opening of Animate project files received from external or untrusted sources until patching is complete
- Audit endpoints to identify systems running vulnerable Animate versions and prioritize them for remediation
- Reinforce user awareness training on the risks of opening unsolicited design or animation files
Patch Information
Adobe published security bulletin APSB25-97 with patched Animate releases that remediate CVE-2025-61804. Refer to the Adobe Security Update APSB25-97 advisory for exact fixed version numbers and download links.
Workarounds
- Block delivery of Adobe Animate project file extensions at email gateways for users who do not require them
- Apply application allowlisting to prevent Animate from spawning shells or scripting interpreters
- Run Adobe Animate under least-privilege user accounts to limit the impact of successful exploitation
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
