CVE-2026-48275 in Illustrator Desktop
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2026
Illustrator is affected by an Untrusted Search Path 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. Scope is changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2026
Adobe Illustrator contains an untrusted search path vulnerability that presents a significant security risk allowing for arbitrary code execution within the context of the currently logged-in user. This flaw resides in how the application handles file paths during the loading process, specifically when processing maliciously crafted files that exploit the software's search mechanism. The vulnerability stems from Illustrator's failure to properly validate or sanitize the paths used when resolving file dependencies, creating an environment where attacker-controlled code can be executed without proper authorization. The attack requires user interaction through the act of opening a malicious file, making it a type of social engineering vector that relies on user trust and behavior patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to place malicious code within the application's search path, typically by creating a specially crafted file structure that Illustrator will traverse when attempting to load necessary resources. This untrusted search path issue falls under the CWE-426 category of Untrusted Search Path, which specifically addresses scenarios where applications use paths that could be manipulated by attackers to execute unauthorized code. The vulnerability creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation since the malicious code executes with the same privileges as the legitimate user, potentially allowing for data theft, system compromise, or further attack propagation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a critical risk for organizations using Adobe Illustrator, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted files through email attachments, file sharing platforms, or compromised websites. The requirement for user interaction limits the automated exploitation potential but does not eliminate the threat entirely, as social engineering campaigns can effectively target specific user groups. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to systems, establish backdoors, or escalate privileges within the user's session context. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, making it a multi-faceted threat that can be used as part of broader attack chains.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including user education about avoiding suspicious files, implementing strict file validation policies, and ensuring that Adobe Illustrator is kept up to date with the latest security patches. System administrators should consider restricting file execution permissions in directories where Illustrator may search for resources, and network-level controls can help prevent access to known malicious domains. The vulnerability emphasizes the importance of principle of least privilege implementation and regular security assessments of software applications to identify similar path traversal issues that could affect other Adobe products or third-party applications with similar search path mechanisms. Regular monitoring of system logs for unusual file access patterns and implementing application whitelisting solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.