CVE-2024-41856 in Illustrator
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2024
Illustrator versions 28.5, 27.9.4 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation 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 • 03/15/2025
Adobe Illustrator versions 28.5, 27.9.4 and earlier contain a critical improper input validation vulnerability that presents a significant security risk to users. This vulnerability falls under the category of input validation flaws that allow attackers to manipulate the application's processing of maliciously crafted input data. The flaw specifically affects how Illustrator handles certain file formats during the parsing and rendering process, creating an opportunity for remote code execution when a user opens a specially crafted malicious file. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only user interaction to exploit, meaning that a victim need only open a malicious file for the attack to succeed, making it highly susceptible to social engineering campaigns and phishing attacks. The security implications are severe as the execution occurs within the context of the current user account, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources, execute arbitrary commands, and compromise the entire user environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of input parameters within Illustrator's file processing pipeline, particularly when handling complex vector graphics and embedded data structures. Attackers can craft malicious files that contain specially formatted data which, when processed by the vulnerable software, triggers unexpected behavior in the application's memory management and execution flow. This improper input validation allows for stack-based buffer overflows or heap-based memory corruption that can be leveraged to inject and execute malicious code. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that occurs when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain under the technique T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers use compromised applications to execute malicious code, and potentially T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where the attack targets client-side applications to establish persistent access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be used for advanced persistent threats and lateral movement within networks. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard security controls and execute commands with the privileges of the compromised user account. This can lead to data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential escalation to administrative privileges depending on the user's access level. Organizations using affected versions of Illustrator face significant risk as these applications are commonly used in creative industries where users frequently open files from external sources, making them prime targets for targeted attacks. The vulnerability also impacts enterprise environments where Illustrator is used for design work, document creation, and collaboration, potentially providing attackers with access to sensitive design assets, intellectual property, and confidential business information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from organizations to update to patched versions of Adobe Illustrator, as Adobe has released security updates addressing this specific flaw. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies and consider deploying application control solutions to prevent execution of untrusted files. Network security measures such as email filtering, web proxies, and sandboxing of suspicious files can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Users should be trained to recognize potential social engineering attempts and avoid opening files from untrusted sources. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify potentially affected systems. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and monitoring user activities can help detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing workflows, particularly in professional design environments where stability and functionality are paramount for creative processes.