CVE-2025-30302: Adobe FrameMaker Information Disclosure

CVE-2025-30302 Overview

Adobe FrameMaker versions 2020.8, 2022.6, and earlier contain an out-of-bounds read vulnerability [CWE-125] that can disclose sensitive process memory. An attacker can leverage the flaw to leak memory contents and bypass mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR). Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically opening a crafted FrameMaker document on an affected Windows system. Adobe addressed the issue in Security Advisory APSB25-33 published on April 8, 2025.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation discloses process memory, enabling attackers to defeat ASLR and chain the leak with secondary memory corruption flaws for reliable code execution.

Affected Products

Adobe FrameMaker 2020 (through release 2020.8)
Adobe FrameMaker 2022 (through release 2022.6)
Microsoft Windows platforms running affected FrameMaker builds

Discovery Timeline

2025-04-08 - Adobe publishes Security Advisory APSB25-33 with patched builds
2025-04-08 - CVE-2025-30302 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30302

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read in Adobe FrameMaker's document parsing logic. FrameMaker reads data beyond the bounds of an allocated buffer when processing a malformed file, returning adjacent heap or stack memory to the application context. The leaked bytes may contain pointers, cryptographic material, or other sensitive runtime data.

Because the flaw discloses memory without corrupting it, exploitation does not directly yield code execution. Attackers typically use information disclosure primitives of this class to defeat ASLR before deploying a separate memory corruption exploit. The disclosure is scoped to the FrameMaker process memory space on the local host.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or incorrect bounds validation during the parsing of a structured FrameMaker document element. The parser trusts a length or offset field derived from attacker-controlled file content and reads past the end of a valid buffer. This category of issue is classified under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is local and requires user interaction. A victim must open a malicious FrameMaker document, which an attacker typically delivers through email attachments, instant messaging, or a web download. Once the file is opened, the parsing routine triggers the out-of-bounds read and the leaked memory can be exfiltrated through embedded scripting or chained exploitation. No elevated privileges are required for the attacker, and the integrity and availability of the host remain unaffected.

No public proof-of-concept exploit or active exploitation has been reported for CVE-2025-30302. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-33 for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30302

Indicators of Compromise

FrameMaker (FrameMaker.exe) processes opening .fm, .book, or .mif files received from untrusted email or web sources
Unexpected crashes, Windows Error Reporting entries, or exception events generated by FrameMaker.exe
FrameMaker spawning child processes such as scripting hosts or network utilities shortly after a document is opened

Detection Strategies

Inventory endpoints running Adobe FrameMaker 2020.8, 2022.6, or earlier and flag any build predating the APSB25-33 patch
Hunt for FrameMaker file executions originating from browser download folders, Outlook temporary directories, or removable media
Correlate document-open events with subsequent anomalous memory read patterns or process crashes within the same session

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward FrameMaker process telemetry, Windows Application event logs, and Microsoft Defender crash events to the SIEM for correlation
Monitor outbound network connections initiated by FrameMaker.exe after document open operations, which are atypical for the application
Alert on anomalous memory handling exceptions tied to FrameMaker parsing modules to catch exploitation attempts early

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30302

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Adobe FrameMaker 2020 to release 2020.9 or later and FrameMaker 2022 to release 2022.7 or later as published in APSB25-33
Restrict opening of FrameMaker documents received from external or untrusted sources until patching is complete
Communicate the risk of malicious .fm, .book, and .mif attachments to users who routinely handle structured documents

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed builds alongside Security Advisory APSB25-33 on April 8, 2025. Administrators should deploy the updated installers through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise software distribution tooling. Verify the installed version through Help > About Adobe FrameMaker after patching.

Workarounds

Block or quarantine FrameMaker file types at the email gateway and web proxy when business processes allow
Enforce application allowlisting to prevent FrameMaker from launching unexpected child processes if exploitation is attempted
Use Windows attack surface reduction rules and least-privilege user accounts to limit the impact of a successful memory disclosure

bash

# Verify installed FrameMaker version on Windows endpoints
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
  Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "*FrameMaker*" } |
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, InstallDate