CVE-2025-21133: Adobe Illustrator iPad RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-21133 Overview

CVE-2025-21133 is an integer underflow vulnerability [CWE-191] affecting Adobe Illustrator on iPad versions 3.0.7 and earlier. The flaw can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a malicious file. Adobe published the vulnerability on January 14, 2025, and addressed it in security bulletin APSB25-04. Exploitation requires user interaction, which limits opportunistic abuse but suits targeted social engineering campaigns against design and creative teams.

Critical Impact
A crafted Illustrator file processed by a vulnerable iPad client can trigger an integer underflow that enables arbitrary code execution under the current user account.

Affected Products

Adobe Illustrator on iPad 3.0.7
Adobe Illustrator on iPad earlier than 3.0.7
Platform: Apple iPadOS

Discovery Timeline

2025-01-14 - CVE-2025-21133 published to NVD
2025-01-14 - Adobe releases security bulletin APSB25-04
2025-09-09 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-21133

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an integer underflow [CWE-191] in Adobe Illustrator on iPad's file parsing logic. An integer underflow occurs when an arithmetic operation produces a value lower than the minimum representable value for the integer type, causing the result to wrap around to a large positive value. When this wrapped value is used in subsequent memory allocation or buffer indexing operations, it can corrupt memory boundaries.

Adobe's advisory classifies the impact as arbitrary code execution within the user context. The Illustrator on iPad sandbox model restricts but does not eliminate the resulting risk, since attackers gain code execution with the privileges of the application user. The EPSS score is 0.251%, indicating low observed exploitation likelihood at this time.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of a numeric value during parsing of an Illustrator document. Subtracting from an unsigned or insufficiently checked integer produces a wraparound, which feeds an undersized buffer allocation or an out-of-bounds calculation. The mismatch between the expected and actual buffer size enables memory corruption that an attacker can shape into control-flow hijacking.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a crafted .ai or related Illustrator document through email, messaging, cloud storage, or a malicious download link. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable Illustrator on iPad build, the parser triggers the underflow and executes attacker-controlled code in the user's context.

No public proof-of-concept exploit and no entries in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog are associated with this CVE. See the Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-04 for vendor-confirmed details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-21133

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected Illustrator on iPad crashes or restarts immediately after opening a document from external sources.
Inbound .ai, .ait, or .pdf files delivered from untrusted senders to users of Illustrator on iPad.
Outbound network connections initiated by the Illustrator process to previously unseen domains shortly after file open events.

Detection Strategies

Inspect mobile device management (MDM) inventory data to enumerate iPads running Illustrator versions at or below 3.0.7.
Correlate mobile threat defense telemetry on application crashes with recent file downloads or AirDrop transfers.
Apply email and cloud storage scanning rules that flag Illustrator file types from untrusted external senders.

Monitoring Recommendations

Track Adobe Creative Cloud update compliance across managed iPad fleets to confirm patched builds are deployed.
Alert on anomalous outbound connections from iPad devices in design and creative business units.
Review MDM logs for users disabling automatic application updates on managed devices.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-21133

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe Illustrator on iPad to the version listed as fixed in Adobe bulletin APSB25-04.
Enforce automatic application updates for Illustrator through MDM policy.
Instruct users to avoid opening Illustrator files received from untrusted email, chat, or AirDrop sources.

Patch Information

Adobe addressed CVE-2025-21133 in the update referenced by the Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-04. Administrators should confirm that all managed iPads run a version newer than 3.0.7. Upgrades are delivered through the Apple App Store and can be enforced using MDM application management policies.

Workarounds

Restrict installation of Illustrator on iPad to users with a verified business requirement.
Block delivery of Illustrator file extensions from external senders at the mail security gateway until patching is verified.
Require that shared design files transit a sandboxed file inspection workflow before reaching iPad clients.

bash

# Example MDM query (Jamf Pro) to identify vulnerable Illustrator on iPad installs
curl -s -u "$JAMF_USER:$JAMF_PASS" \
  -H "Accept: application/json" \
  "$JAMF_URL/JSSResource/mobiledeviceapplications/bundleid/com.adobe.Illustrator" \
  | jq '.mobile_device_application.general | {name, version, bundle_id}'