CVE-2020-24409 in Illustrator
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
Adobe Illustrator version 24.2 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing crafted PDF files. This could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory structure, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. This vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2025
Adobe Illustrator version 24.2 and earlier versions contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that manifests when processing maliciously crafted pdf files. This vulnerability resides in the software's pdf parsing functionality and represents a classic memory safety issue that falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the boundaries of allocated structures during pdf file processing, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning that an attacker must convince a target to open a specifically crafted pdf file within Adobe Illustrator. This interaction requirement provides a natural defense mechanism but does not eliminate the risk entirely, as social engineering techniques can effectively bypass user awareness. The out-of-bounds read condition creates a scenario where memory corruption can occur, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate program execution flow and execute malicious code. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and execute code within the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain persistent access to the victim's system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or use as a foothold for further attacks within a network. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on Adobe Illustrator for design work, as pdf files are commonly shared in professional environments. This makes the attack surface particularly broad and increases the likelihood of exploitation in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Adobe Illustrator versions, as Adobe has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement user education programs to raise awareness about opening pdf files from untrusted sources and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially malicious files. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems can help detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file processing activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in preventing memory safety issues that could lead to remote code execution attacks.