CVE-2024-30271 Overview
CVE-2024-30271 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] affecting Adobe Illustrator versions 28.3, 27.9.2, and earlier on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. A specially crafted file can trigger memory corruption when parsed by Illustrator, leading to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The flaw requires user interaction: a victim must open a malicious file for the exploit to trigger. Adobe published a security advisory and patched updates on April 9, 2024. The vulnerability is rated High severity by Adobe and carries a local attack vector.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution under the current user's privileges, enabling malware installation, data theft, or lateral movement from creative workstations.
Affected Products
- Adobe Illustrator 28.3 and earlier (2024 release)
- Adobe Illustrator 27.9.2 and earlier (2023 release)
- Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS installations of the affected Illustrator versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-04-11 - CVE-2024-30271 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-30271
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-30271 is an out-of-bounds write flaw in Adobe Illustrator's file parsing logic. When Illustrator processes a malformed document, the application writes data past the boundary of an allocated buffer. That write corrupts adjacent memory structures, which an attacker controls through crafted file content. Controlled memory corruption in a desktop rendering application typically enables hijacking of function pointers, virtual tables, or return addresses. The result is arbitrary code execution under the identity of the user running Illustrator. The EPSS probability sits at 0.291%, but successful exploitation delivers full user-context code execution on the affected workstation.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or incorrect bounds validation during parsing of a specific file structure. Illustrator computes or trusts a length or index value from attacker-supplied input, then writes to a buffer without confirming the destination remains within allocated memory. Adobe's advisory APSB24-25 confirms the classification as CWE-787 out-of-bounds write.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is local and user-assisted. An attacker delivers a weaponized Illustrator file, commonly an .ai, .eps, .pdf, or .svg document, through email, chat, cloud file share, or a compromised web download. The victim opens the file in a vulnerable Illustrator version, and the parser triggers the out-of-bounds write. No elevated privileges are required to launch the attack, and no network exposure of Illustrator is needed. Creative and marketing workstations are the primary targets because they routinely receive external design assets. See the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory for vendor detail.
No public proof-of-concept or exploit code has been observed at the time of writing, and the CVE is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-30271
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes or Windows Error Reporting entries for Illustrator.exe shortly after opening an external file.
- Child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, wscript.exe, or rundll32.exe spawned from Illustrator.exe or Adobe Illustrator.app.
- Outbound network connections from the Illustrator process to unfamiliar IPs or domains immediately after a document open event.
- New persistence entries (Run keys, LaunchAgents, scheduled tasks) created within seconds of Illustrator file activity.
Detection Strategies
- Alert on any process creation where the parent image is Illustrator.exe and the child is a scripting host, shell, or LOLBin.
- Correlate Illustrator file open events with subsequent file writes to %APPDATA%, %TEMP%, or ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ to catch dropper behavior.
- Baseline Illustrator's normal network profile and flag deviations, especially connections to raw IPs or newly registered domains.
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for module loads of unsigned or non-Adobe DLLs and dylibs inside the Illustrator process.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Inventory Illustrator installations and flag hosts still running 28.3, 27.9.2, or earlier builds.
- Ingest Adobe application logs and EDR process telemetry into a centralized data lake for cross-host correlation.
- Enable memory integrity and exploit protection telemetry on Windows (Exploit Guard) and macOS (Endpoint Security framework) to surface memory-corruption exploitation attempts.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-30271
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Adobe Illustrator to a fixed release: version 28.4 or later for the 2024 track, and 27.9.3 or later for the 2023 track.
- Restrict opening of Illustrator files sourced from external or untrusted senders until patching is complete.
- Verify all creative workstations report the patched build through your software inventory or MDM.
- Enforce least privilege on designer workstations so that user-context code execution cannot immediately escalate to administrative access.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed versions on April 9, 2024, as documented in security bulletin APSB24-25. Adobe Illustrator 2024 users must update to 28.4 or later, and Illustrator 2023 users must update to 27.9.3 or later. Full details are available in the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory.
Workarounds
- Block inbound delivery of Illustrator file types from untrusted senders at the mail gateway until patches are deployed.
- Open untrusted design files inside a sandboxed or virtualized workstation without access to sensitive resources.
- Disable auto-preview of Illustrator documents in file managers and collaboration tools to prevent inadvertent parsing.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
