CVE-2025-30330: Adobe Illustrator RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-30330 Overview

CVE-2025-30330 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Adobe Illustrator versions 29.3, 28.7.5, and earlier on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The attack requires user interaction, specifically opening a malicious file crafted by an attacker. Adobe published a security advisory addressing the flaw and released updated versions of Illustrator.

Critical Impact
Opening a crafted Illustrator file enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to full workstation compromise.

Affected Products

Adobe Illustrator 29.3 and earlier
Adobe Illustrator 28.7.5 and earlier
Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows installations of the affected versions

Discovery Timeline

2025-05-13 - CVE-2025-30330 published to NVD
2025-05-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30330

Vulnerability Analysis

The flaw is a heap-based buffer overflow classified under [CWE-122] and [CWE-787] (out-of-bounds write). Adobe Illustrator improperly handles memory allocations when parsing crafted file content, allowing data to be written past the end of an allocated heap buffer. An attacker controlling the overflowing data can corrupt adjacent heap metadata or function pointers. This corruption can be steered toward hijacking control flow and executing attacker-supplied code in the rendering process.

The vulnerability is local and requires the victim to open a malicious file, meaning delivery typically occurs through phishing, file sharing, or supply chain channels. Because Illustrator runs with the user's privileges, successful exploitation grants the attacker the same access level, including the ability to read user files, install persistence, or pivot laterally.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient bounds checking during file parsing inside Adobe Illustrator. When the application processes a malformed structure within a graphic file, it writes beyond the bounds of a heap-allocated buffer. Adobe's advisory APSB25-43 confirms the issue is resolved through code that enforces correct buffer sizing during the affected parsing routine.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and dependent on user interaction. An attacker delivers a malicious Illustrator-compatible file to the target, typically via email attachment, malicious download, or compromised collaboration platform. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable Illustrator version, the parser triggers the overflow during file deserialization. Refer to the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory for vendor-confirmed details. No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available at this time.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30330

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected Adobe Illustrator process crashes or memory faults during file open operations
Illustrator processes spawning child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or bash
Suspicious outbound network connections originating from Illustrator.exe shortly after a file is opened
Unfamiliar Illustrator file types arriving via email attachments or collaboration tools

Detection Strategies

Monitor Illustrator process behavior for anomalous child process creation or in-memory code execution patterns
Inspect endpoint telemetry for write operations to autorun locations originating from creative software
Correlate file open events with subsequent process or network activity to identify exploit chains

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable detailed endpoint logging on workstations used by design and marketing teams
Forward Adobe application crash telemetry to a centralized SIEM for triage
Track installed Illustrator versions across the fleet to identify unpatched hosts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30330

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe Illustrator to the patched releases identified in Adobe security bulletin APSB25-43
Inventory all macOS and Windows endpoints running vulnerable Illustrator versions and prioritize patching
Instruct users to avoid opening Illustrator files received from untrusted or unverified sources

Patch Information

Adobe addressed CVE-2025-30330 in the security update detailed in the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory APSB25-43. Administrators should deploy the updated Illustrator builds across affected Windows and macOS systems through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tools.

Workarounds

Restrict Illustrator file handling to trusted sources until patches are deployed
Apply application allowlisting to prevent Illustrator from spawning script interpreters or shells
Run Illustrator under standard user accounts rather than administrative accounts to limit blast radius

bash

# Verify installed Illustrator version on macOS
mdls -name kMDItemVersion "/Applications/Adobe Illustrator 2025/Adobe Illustrator.app"

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