CVE-2022-30639 in Illustrator
Summary
by MITRE • 09/07/2023
Adobe Illustrator versions 26.0.2 (and earlier) and 25.4.5 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
Adobe Illustrator versions 26.0.2 and earlier, as well as 25.4.5 and earlier, contain a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability classified as CVE-2022-30639 that presents significant security risks to users. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of specially crafted files and represents a serious flaw in memory management that could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only user interaction to exploit, specifically the opening of a malicious file by the victim, making it highly practical for social engineering attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption flaws, specifically manifesting as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the application fails to properly validate input data from imported files. When a user opens a maliciously crafted file, the Illustrator application processes the file content without adequate bounds checking, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-787 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The flaw typically occurs during the parsing of vector graphics elements or embedded data within the file format, where insufficient validation permits memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to operate within the security context of the currently logged-in user. This means that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, or further lateral movement within a network environment. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive design files, or deploy additional malware without requiring elevated privileges. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Illustrator is commonly used in creative industries, design firms, and professional environments where users frequently open files from external sources, making the exploitation vector highly realistic.
Organizations and individuals using affected Adobe Illustrator versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official Adobe security updates and patches. The vulnerability's requirement for user interaction makes user education crucial, as employees should be trained to avoid opening untrusted files from unknown sources. Security teams should implement file scanning and validation procedures for incoming design files, particularly those from external vendors or collaborators. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Local Port Forwarding) as potential exploitation techniques, though the primary threat vector remains the initial user interaction with malicious files. Network segmentation and application whitelisting policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security awareness training should emphasize the risks of opening unverified design files. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping creative software updated, as these applications often process complex file formats that can introduce significant attack surfaces when not properly secured through regular patch management procedures.