CVE-2025-49527 in Illustrator
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2025
Illustrator versions 28.7.6, 29.5.1 and earlier are affected by a Stack-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 • 07/10/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Illustrator software affecting versions 28.7.6, 29.5.1 and earlier. The flaw occurs when the application processes maliciously crafted files, creating a condition where an attacker can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. Such buffer overflows typically arise from insufficient bounds checking during memory allocation operations, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. The vulnerability specifically requires user interaction through opening a malicious file, making it a targeted attack vector that relies on social engineering or delivery mechanisms such as phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious attachments. This attack pattern aligns with common exploitation techniques documented in the attack mitigation framework where initial access is achieved through user engagement with compromised content. The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption flaws that are frequently exploited in advanced persistent threat campaigns. According to common weakness enumeration standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow which is classified as a high severity issue due to its potential for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads. The attack surface is limited to users who open malicious files, but this constraint does not mitigate the risk given that modern attack campaigns often employ sophisticated social engineering techniques to induce user interaction. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in protecting creative software applications from memory corruption exploits that can bypass modern security mitigations. The affected versions represent a significant risk to organizations relying on Adobe Illustrator for graphic design work, particularly those in industries where design files may be sourced from external parties or downloaded from untrusted repositories. This vulnerability type is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open compromised design files, potentially leading to full system compromise or data exfiltration. The exploitation requires no special privileges beyond normal user access, making it especially dangerous in environments where users have elevated permissions or administrative access to their systems. Organizations should prioritize patch management strategies to address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open until the affected software versions are properly updated. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of email filtering, web proxy security measures, and user education programs to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation through social engineering vectors. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability underscores the need for robust application sandboxing, memory protection mechanisms, and runtime monitoring to detect anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The specific nature of this vulnerability suggests that attackers may be leveraging it as part of broader campaign strategies targeting creative professionals, graphic designers, and multimedia artists who regularly handle external design files. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious file opening activities and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful consideration of patch deployment timing and rollback procedures to ensure business continuity while maintaining security posture against this critical vulnerability.