CVE-2025-24448: Adobe Illustrator Information Disclosure

CVE-2025-24448 Overview

Adobe Illustrator contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability affecting versions 29.2.1, 28.7.4, and earlier releases on both Windows and macOS. The flaw allows an attacker to disclose contents of process memory when a victim opens a maliciously crafted file. Attackers can use the leaked memory to bypass Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and other exploit mitigations, which strengthens follow-on code execution attempts. Adobe published a fix in security bulletin APSB25-17.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation discloses sensitive process memory, enabling ASLR bypass and reliable chaining with memory corruption vulnerabilities to achieve code execution.

Affected Products

Adobe Illustrator 29.2.1 and earlier (2025 release)
Adobe Illustrator 28.7.4 and earlier (2024 release)
Supported on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS

Discovery Timeline

2025-03-11 - CVE-2025-24448 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24448

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read classified under [CWE-125]. Adobe Illustrator reads data past the end of an allocated buffer while parsing a crafted input file. The parser trusts attacker-controlled size or offset fields and dereferences memory outside the intended structure. The leaked bytes may include heap metadata, pointers, or stack content that reveal the base addresses of loaded modules. An attacker who recovers these addresses defeats ASLR and gains the information needed to build reliable exploits against separate memory corruption bugs. The vulnerability does not permit code execution on its own and does not modify or destroy data.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or incorrect bounds validation inside an Illustrator file parser. The affected code paths calculate read offsets from fields contained in the untrusted file and do not verify them against the actual buffer size before access.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local user interaction. The victim must open a malicious Illustrator document delivered through phishing, a shared file repository, or a web download. No elevated privileges are required, and the attack succeeds in the context of the user running Illustrator. The vulnerability affects confidentiality only; integrity and availability remain intact.

No public proof-of-concept or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported. For technical specifics, see the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-17.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24448

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected Illustrator (Illustrator.exe on Windows, Adobe Illustrator on macOS) crashes or exception events shortly after opening a document from an untrusted source.
Illustrator processes spawning unusual child processes or performing outbound network connections immediately after document open.
Receipt of unsolicited .ai, .eps, .pdf, or .svg files via email or messaging platforms targeting design and marketing users.

Detection Strategies

Monitor endpoint telemetry for Illustrator process crashes, access violations, and abnormal memory read patterns tied to file open operations.
Correlate email and web gateway logs with file execution events to identify suspicious Illustrator documents originating from external senders.
Flag Illustrator processes performing uncommon activity such as reading credential stores, loading unexpected modules, or initiating network traffic.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable application crash reporting and forward Windows Error Reporting and macOS CrashReporter data to the SIEM for triage.
Track installed Illustrator versions across endpoints to identify systems still running vulnerable builds.
Alert on Illustrator opening files from browser download directories, email attachment paths, or removable media.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24448

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Adobe Illustrator to the patched versions published in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-17 on all Windows and macOS endpoints.
Inventory endpoints to identify any installations of Illustrator 29.2.1, 28.7.4, or earlier and prioritize them for update.
Instruct users to avoid opening Illustrator files from untrusted email attachments, download links, or external collaborators until patching completes.

Patch Information

Adobe addressed CVE-2025-24448 in the Illustrator updates described in APSB25-17. Administrators should deploy the patched versions through Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop, enterprise deployment tooling, or Adobe Admin Console. Verify successful deployment by checking the installed version in Help > About Illustrator.

Workarounds

If immediate patching is not possible, restrict Illustrator usage to files from trusted internal sources only.
Use attachment sandboxing or detonation services on mail gateways to inspect Illustrator-compatible file formats before delivery.
Apply application allowlisting and operating system exploit mitigations such as Control Flow Guard on Windows to raise the cost of exploit chains that depend on the leaked memory.

bash

# Verify installed Adobe Illustrator version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Illustrator 2025/Adobe Illustrator.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString

# Verify installed Adobe Illustrator version on Windows (PowerShell)
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
  Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "Adobe Illustrator*" } |
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion