CVE-2009-4195 in Illustrator
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Adobe Illustrator CS4 14.0.0, CS3 13.0.3 and earlier, and CS3 13.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long DSC comment in an Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Adobe Illustrator's handling of Encapsulated PostScript files, specifically affecting versions CS4 14.0.0 and earlier, as well as CS3 13.0.3 and earlier releases. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when processing DSC (Document Structuring Conventions) comments within EPS file formats, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can exceed allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory regions. The flaw exists in the parsing logic that processes these structured comments without proper bounds checking, allowing attackers to craft EPS files containing excessively long DSC comment sequences that trigger the overflow condition. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates the classic attack pattern where untrusted data processing leads to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as users can be exploited simply by opening malicious EPS files. The operational impact is severe as successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may unknowingly open malicious attachments or download compromised design files from untrusted sources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in memory management within Adobe Illustrator's EPS parser, where DSC comments are processed without proper length validation. When the application encounters a DSC comment exceeding the allocated buffer size, the overflow can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical memory segments, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution. The buffer overflow occurs during the file parsing phase when the application attempts to store the DSC comment data in a fixed-size buffer, failing to verify that the input data does not exceed the buffer boundaries. The attack requires crafting a specially formatted EPS file with an extended DSC comment that triggers the overflow condition upon file opening, making it a classic example of a file format vulnerability that can be leveraged through social engineering or automated exploitation. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms, amplifying its potential impact across various attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary solution involves applying the official security patches released by Adobe, which include updated EPS parsing routines with proper input validation and buffer size enforcement. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies, particularly for design and graphics files, by deploying content inspection tools that can detect and quarantine malicious EPS files before they reach end users. Network-based defenses should include email filtering systems that scan for suspicious file attachments and web proxies that block access to known malicious domains hosting exploit files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of principle of least privilege implementation, where users should operate with minimal necessary permissions to limit potential damage from successful exploits. Security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted design files and the importance of verifying file sources before processing. Additionally, system hardening measures such as stack protection mechanisms, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software, particularly in high-risk environments where design professionals may inadvertently encounter malicious files through legitimate business processes. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other graphics processing applications and file format parsers within the organization's attack surface.