CVE-2025-30304 Overview
CVE-2025-30304 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] affecting Adobe FrameMaker versions 2020.8, 2022.6, and earlier. Attackers can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a malicious file crafted by the attacker. Adobe addressed the issue in security bulletin APSB25-33.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user, enabling installation of malware, data theft, or lateral movement from a compromised workstation.
Affected Products
- Adobe FrameMaker 2020.8 and earlier
- Adobe FrameMaker 2022.6 and earlier
- Microsoft Windows hosts running affected FrameMaker builds
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-08 - CVE-2025-30304 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-30304
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw is an out-of-bounds write in Adobe FrameMaker, a structured authoring application for technical documentation. When FrameMaker parses a malformed document, it writes data past the bounds of an allocated buffer. This corrupts adjacent memory and can overwrite control structures used by the application.
An attacker who controls the layout of the overflow can redirect execution flow. The result is arbitrary code execution within the FrameMaker process. The code runs with the privileges of the user who opened the file, making this a local code execution issue that depends on social engineering for delivery.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of attacker-controlled file content. The vulnerable parser accepts field values or structural elements that exceed the expected size of the destination buffer. Because FrameMaker handles multiple proprietary and interchange file formats, malformed records in any supported format can reach the vulnerable write path.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts a malicious FrameMaker-compatible document and delivers it via email, file share, or download. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable FrameMaker installation, the parsing routine triggers the out-of-bounds write. No network access to the target is required, and no prior authentication on the host is needed by the attacker.
No verified public proof-of-concept code has been released. The vulnerability is described in prose because no validated exploit examples are available. Refer to the Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-33 for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30304
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by FrameMaker.exe, such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or rundll32.exe
- FrameMaker process crashes with access violation exceptions recorded in Windows Application event logs
- Suspicious FrameMaker document files (.fm, .mif, .book) arriving via email attachments or external file shares
- Outbound network connections originating from the FrameMaker process to untrusted hosts
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process creation events where FrameMaker.exe is the parent of scripting interpreters or living-off-the-land binaries
- Alert on FrameMaker writing executables, DLLs, or scheduled task artifacts to user-writable paths
- Inspect crash dumps for heap corruption signatures consistent with out-of-bounds writes in document parsers
Monitoring Recommendations
- Collect Sysmon process and file events from workstations with FrameMaker installed
- Forward endpoint telemetry to a centralized analytics platform to correlate document open events with follow-on activity
- Track FrameMaker version inventory to identify hosts still running 2020.8, 2022.6, or earlier builds
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30304
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Adobe FrameMaker updates listed in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-33 on all affected hosts
- Restrict opening of FrameMaker documents received from untrusted or external sources until patches are deployed
- Enforce least privilege so FrameMaker users do not operate with administrative rights
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed versions for FrameMaker 2020 and FrameMaker 2022 in security bulletin APSB25-33. Administrators should upgrade beyond versions 2020.8 and 2022.6 to receive the patched parsers. Consult the vendor advisory for exact build numbers and download links.
Workarounds
- Block inbound email attachments with FrameMaker file extensions at the mail gateway until patching completes
- Use application allow-listing to prevent FrameMaker from launching child processes such as shells or scripting hosts
- Educate technical writers and documentation teams to verify the source of any FrameMaker file before opening it
# Query installed FrameMaker version on Windows hosts
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\FrameMaker" /s /v Version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
