CVE-2020-9586 in Character Animator
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Character Animator versions 3.2 and earlier have a buffer overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2020
Adobe Character Animator version 3.2 and earlier contains a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that presents significant security risks to users. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of malformed input data, specifically within the processing of animation files or character configurations that exceed allocated memory boundaries. The flaw allows attackers to craft specially designed files or inputs that trigger memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable software. Such buffer overflow conditions occur when the application attempts to write data beyond the bounds of a pre-allocated memory buffer, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including function return addresses and critical program variables. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Attackers who successfully leverage this buffer overflow can execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to persistent backdoor access, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because Character Animator is often used in creative workflows where users may unknowingly open malicious files shared through collaborative platforms or compromised networks. Given that the application processes complex animation data structures, the attack surface includes various file formats and configuration parameters that could be manipulated to trigger the overflow condition. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation may involve executing crafted payloads through the application's processing pipeline.
Organizations and individual users should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Adobe Character Animator version 4.0 or later, which contains patches addressing this specific buffer overflow vulnerability. The update includes enhanced input validation mechanisms and improved memory management routines that prevent the overflow conditions from occurring. Additionally, users should implement defensive measures such as restricting file opening permissions, employing sandboxing techniques, and maintaining regular security updates across all software components. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted Character Animator files, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include user education regarding the risks of opening unknown or unverified animation files, particularly those received through email attachments or peer-to-peer sharing platforms. Regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify any other potentially affected software components within the organization's attack surface that might present similar buffer overflow risks.