CVE-2025-30295 in Framemaker
Summary
by MITRE • 04/08/2025
Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.8, 2022.6 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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 • 04/09/2025
Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.8, 2022.6 and earlier contain a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability that represents a critical security risk for affected systems. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The flaw occurs when the application processes malformed input through its document parsing mechanisms, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a specific user interaction pattern where a victim must open a maliciously crafted file within the Framemaker application. This dependency on user interaction aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes social engineering attacks that require user engagement to achieve successful exploitation. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of structured document elements, particularly when handling improperly formatted data streams that exceed the allocated buffer space. Attackers can construct specially crafted documents that trigger the overflow condition when parsed by the vulnerable software, potentially allowing them to overwrite adjacent memory locations and redirect execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the victim environment. Since the exploit requires user interaction, it represents a targeted attack vector that could be delivered through phishing campaigns or malicious file sharing scenarios. The vulnerability's exploitation capabilities are particularly concerning given that Framemaker is often used in professional publishing environments where users may encounter untrusted documents from various sources. Organizations using these older versions face significant risk as the vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the user's session.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Adobe Framemaker versions that have addressed this vulnerability through official security patches. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems running affected versions receive timely updates. Additionally, security teams should consider deploying application whitelisting solutions and restricting user access to potentially malicious file types through network-level controls. Monitoring for suspicious document opening activities and implementing user education programs about the risks of opening untrusted files can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and following security best practices to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in widely used productivity applications.