CVE-2025-54279 is a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability identified in Adobe Animate versions 23.0.13, 24.0.10, and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software improperly manages memory, freeing an object while it is still in use, which can lead to arbitrary code execution. An attacker can craft a malicious Animate file that, when opened by a victim, triggers the vulnerability, allowing execution of code with the same privileges as the current user. The attack vector requires local user interaction, specifically opening a malicious file, and does not require prior authentication or elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as arbitrary code execution can lead to data theft, system compromise, or denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.8, reflecting high severity due to the potential impact and ease of exploitation given user interaction. No patches were linked at the time of reporting, and no known exploits in the wild have been documented. Adobe Animate is widely used in digital content creation, multimedia, and animation industries, making this vulnerability relevant to organizations relying on these workflows.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, particularly to those in creative industries, digital media, advertising, and education sectors where Adobe Animate is commonly used. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, resulting in data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of business operations. Since the exploit requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to deliver malicious files, increasing the attack surface. The impact extends to confidentiality (exposure of sensitive data), integrity (alteration or corruption of files), and availability (potential system crashes or denial of service). Organizations with lax endpoint security or insufficient user training are especially vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly once the vulnerability is public.

1. Monitor Adobe’s official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-54279 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Until patches are released, restrict the opening of Animate files from untrusted or unknown sources through email filtering and endpoint controls. 3. Implement application whitelisting and sandboxing to limit the execution context of Adobe Animate and reduce the impact of potential exploitation. 4. Educate users on the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files, emphasizing cautious handling of Animate project files. 5. Deploy advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Regularly back up critical data and ensure recovery procedures are tested to mitigate potential damage from exploitation. 7. Review and enforce least privilege principles to minimize the privileges of users running Adobe Animate, reducing the impact of successful code execution.