CVE-2025-49561 is a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability affecting Adobe Animate versions 23.0.12, 24.0.9, and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software improperly manages memory, specifically freeing memory that is still in use, which can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, as the victim must open a specially crafted malicious Animate file. Once exploited, an attacker could execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to full compromise of the user's environment with the privileges of the logged-in user. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have local access or trick the user into opening the malicious file. The attack complexity is low (AC:L), no privileges are required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning the attacker could fully control the affected system, steal sensitive data, modify or delete files, or disrupt system operations. Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, and no patches or updates have been linked yet, indicating that organizations should prioritize monitoring and prepare to deploy patches once available. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous for environments where Adobe Animate is used to create or edit multimedia content, especially in creative industries or educational institutions. Given the requirement for user interaction, social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used to deliver the malicious files.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-49561 could be significant, especially for companies in the media, advertising, education, and entertainment sectors that rely on Adobe Animate for content creation. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive intellectual property, disruption of creative workflows, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks if attackers leverage compromised machines as footholds. The high confidentiality impact means sensitive project files or client data could be exfiltrated, while the integrity and availability impacts could result in corrupted or lost work, damaging business operations and reputation. Additionally, since exploitation requires user interaction, targeted phishing campaigns could be effective, increasing the risk for organizations with less mature security awareness programs. European organizations with remote or hybrid workforces may face increased exposure if users open malicious files outside secure network environments. The lack of current patches means organizations must rely on mitigation and detection until Adobe releases an official fix.

1. Implement strict email and file filtering to block or quarantine suspicious attachments, especially those with Animate file extensions or macros. 2. Educate users about the risks of opening files from unknown or untrusted sources, emphasizing the specific threat of malicious Animate files. 3. Employ application whitelisting and restrict execution of Adobe Animate to only authorized users and systems. 4. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected memory operations or code execution patterns. 5. Isolate systems running Adobe Animate from critical network segments to limit potential lateral movement. 6. Regularly back up important project files and verify backup integrity to enable recovery in case of compromise. 7. Monitor Adobe’s security advisories closely and prepare to deploy patches immediately upon release. 8. Consider disabling or restricting Adobe Animate usage temporarily in high-risk environments until a patch is available.