CVE-2022-30640 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 designated as CVE-2022-30640 that presents significant security risks to users. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists within the application's handling of malformed files, particularly those containing specially crafted vector graphics or embedded data structures that exceed allocated memory boundaries during processing.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious Illustrator files that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, trigger memory corruption through improper bounds checking. When the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory space reserved for processing the file content, it creates an opportunity for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the currently logged-in user account, effectively providing attackers with the same privileges as the victim.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it requires only user interaction to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The attack vector relies on social engineering tactics where victims are convinced to open malicious files, often delivered through phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or compromised file sharing platforms. Once executed, the malicious code operates with the privileges of the user who opened the file, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open compromised files, potentially affecting multiple systems within the organization.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Illustrator versions to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies and restrict the opening of files from untrusted sources. Security controls including email filtering, web application firewalls, and endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block malicious Illustrator files. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of verifying file sources before opening them. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper bounds checking and memory management practices in software development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter usage and T1203 for exploitation for client execution. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs should be maintained to identify and remediate similar issues across the organization's software portfolio.