CVE-2025-30295: Adobe FrameMaker Buffer Overflow Flaw

CVE-2025-30295 Overview

CVE-2025-30295 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.8, 2022.6, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a crafted document. Adobe disclosed the issue in security bulletin APSB25-33 on April 8, 2025.

The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-122] Heap-based Buffer Overflow and [CWE-787] Out-of-bounds Write. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction. The vulnerability does not require authentication.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in Framemaker user, enabling malware installation, data theft, or persistence on Windows endpoints.

Affected Products

Adobe Framemaker 2020.8 and earlier 2020.x releases
Adobe Framemaker 2022.6 and earlier 2022.x releases
Microsoft Windows platforms running affected Framemaker builds

Discovery Timeline

2025-04-08 - CVE-2025-30295 published to NVD
2025-04-08 - Adobe publishes security advisory APSB25-33
2025-04-11 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30295

Vulnerability Analysis

The defect is a heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Framemaker's file parsing logic. When Framemaker processes a malformed document, it writes past the bounds of a heap-allocated buffer. This out-of-bounds write corrupts adjacent heap metadata and program state.

An attacker who controls the contents of the malformed file can shape the corruption to redirect execution. The resulting code runs with the privileges of the user who opened the file. On standard Windows installations, this typically means full read and write access to the user's profile and reachable network shares.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of structured Framemaker file formats. The application allocates a heap buffer based on assumed or trusted size fields, then copies attacker-controlled data without verifying that the source length fits the destination. This combination of [CWE-122] and [CWE-787] enables both heap metadata corruption and controlled overwrite of in-memory objects.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a malicious Framemaker file through email, a shared drive, a chat attachment, or a drive-by download. The victim must open the file in a vulnerable version of Framemaker for exploitation to occur.

No network listener or service is exposed by this vulnerability. The exploit chain depends on social engineering to convince the target to open the file.

No public proof-of-concept code has been released. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-33 for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30295

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes of FrameMaker.exe followed by child process creation such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or rundll32.exe
Framemaker spawning network connections to untrusted external hosts shortly after opening a document
Suspicious .fm, .mif, .book, or .xml files arriving via email or download immediately before Framemaker activity
New persistence artifacts (Run keys, scheduled tasks) created under the user context that launched Framemaker

Detection Strategies

Hunt for FrameMaker.exe as the parent process of any command interpreter or scripting engine
Alert on Framemaker writing executable content to user-writable paths such as %APPDATA% or %TEMP%
Correlate Framemaker process crashes with subsequent anomalous file or registry writes within the same user session
Inspect inbound email and web traffic for Framemaker document types from untrusted senders

Monitoring Recommendations

Collect Sysmon process creation, image load, and network connection events for FrameMaker.exe
Enable Windows Defender Exploit Guard memory protections and log block events centrally
Track installed Framemaker versions across endpoints to identify hosts still on 2020.8, 2022.6, or earlier
Forward EDR telemetry to a SIEM or data lake for retroactive hunting against Adobe document workflows

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30295

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the updates listed in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-33 to all Framemaker installations
Inventory endpoints for Framemaker 2020.8, 2022.6, and earlier and prioritize patching for users who handle external documents
Instruct users not to open unsolicited Framemaker files, including .fm, .mif, and .book formats
Block inbound Framemaker file types at the email gateway from untrusted external senders

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed versions in advisory APSB25-33 on April 8, 2025. Customers must upgrade Framemaker 2020.x and Framemaker 2022.x to the versions listed in the advisory. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-33 for exact build numbers and download links.

Workarounds

Restrict Framemaker usage to a controlled group until patches are deployed
Run Framemaker under standard user accounts only, never with administrative privileges
Open untrusted Framemaker documents in an isolated virtual machine or sandbox
Apply Windows Attack Surface Reduction rules to block Office and document applications from creating child processes where compatible

bash

# Query installed Adobe Framemaker version on Windows endpoints
Get-ItemProperty 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*' |
  Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like 'Adobe FrameMaker*' } |
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, InstallLocation