CVE-2025-49528 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 exists within the application's file parsing functionality where insufficient bounds checking occurs when processing specially crafted input files. When a user opens a maliciously constructed file, the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer on the stack, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits writes to memory beyond the buffer boundaries. The security implications are severe as successful exploitation could enable arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, effectively providing attackers with full control over the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass a comprehensive attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.1001 for command and scripting interpreter. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through the execution of malicious payloads, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or deployment of additional malware. The requirement for user interaction creates a social engineering component to the attack vector, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open malicious files through email attachments, file downloads, or collaborative sharing platforms. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic privilege escalation path where user-level execution leads to complete system compromise, as the attacker gains the ability to perform actions that would normally require administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch management with the latest Adobe Illustrator updates that address this buffer overflow condition. Organizations must implement strict file validation policies and user education programs to reduce the risk of encountering malicious files. The principle of least privilege should be enforced where possible, limiting user permissions to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. Network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions can provide additional defense layers, while regular security audits should verify that all systems are updated and that proper file handling procedures are in place. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and prepare incident response procedures that account for potential code execution scenarios. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive security awareness training to prevent successful exploitation through social engineering vectors.