CVE-2025-47125 Overview
CVE-2025-47125 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability [CWE-122] affecting Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.8, 2022.6, and earlier. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. The flaw requires user interaction. A victim must open a malicious file crafted by the attacker for exploitation to succeed.
Adobe published the issue on July 8, 2025, in security advisory APSB25-66. The vulnerability carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 with a local attack vector.
Critical Impact
Attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution on Windows systems running vulnerable Framemaker versions when a user opens a weaponized document.
Affected Products
- Adobe Framemaker 2020.8 and earlier 2020.x releases
- Adobe Framemaker 2022.6 and earlier 2022.x releases
- Microsoft Windows hosts running the affected Framemaker versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-47125 published to NVD
- 2025-07-08 - Adobe releases security bulletin APSB25-66
- 2025-07-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-47125
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow within Adobe Framemaker file parsing logic. Framemaker fails to validate the size of attacker-controlled data before copying it into a fixed-size heap buffer. The resulting overflow corrupts adjacent heap metadata and object data.
An attacker who controls the layout of the corrupted heap can overwrite function pointers or vtable entries. Code execution proceeds in the security context of the user who opened the malicious file. The issue maps to [CWE-122] Heap-based Buffer Overflow.
EPSS data places the probability of exploitation in the wild at approximately 0.115 percent at the time of publication. No public proof-of-concept exploit has been observed, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds checking when Framemaker parses structured fields inside a document file. A length value taken from the file is trusted without validation against the destination buffer. The parser then performs a copy operation that writes beyond the allocated heap chunk.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access in the sense that the malicious file must be processed by Framemaker on the target host. Attackers typically deliver the file through phishing email, malicious download links, or shared document repositories. Privileges gained match those of the logged-in user, which on many workstations includes the ability to install software and access sensitive data.
No verified public exploit code exists for CVE-2025-47125. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-66 for vendor-supplied technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47125
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by FrameMaker.exe, including cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or script interpreters.
- Framemaker process crashes recorded in the Windows Application event log with access violation exception codes such as 0xC0000005.
- Framemaker writing executable files or DLLs to user-writable paths such as %TEMP% or %APPDATA%.
- Inbound .fm, .book, or .mif attachments from untrusted senders.
Detection Strategies
- Hunt for process trees where FrameMaker.exe is the parent of a command-line interpreter or LOLBin.
- Monitor for Framemaker performing outbound network connections, which is atypical for normal document editing workflows.
- Alert on Framemaker loading unsigned DLLs from user-writable directories.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Sysmon process creation and image load events from Framemaker hosts to a centralized analytics platform.
- Track Windows Error Reporting telemetry for repeated Framemaker crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts.
- Inspect email gateways and file shares for Framemaker document formats originating from external sources.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47125
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Adobe Framemaker to the patched versions identified in Adobe bulletin APSB25-66.
- Inventory all endpoints running Framemaker 2020.x or 2022.x and prioritize patching of systems handling externally sourced documents.
- Instruct users not to open Framemaker files received from untrusted or unverified sources.
Patch Information
Adobe addressed CVE-2025-47125 in the updates documented in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-66. Apply the fixed releases for both the 2020.x and 2022.x branches as directed by Adobe.
Workarounds
- Restrict Framemaker execution to a dedicated, monitored workstation segment until patches are applied.
- Block inbound email attachments with Framemaker file extensions (.fm, .book, .mif) at the secure email gateway.
- Enforce least-privilege user accounts so that exploitation cannot escalate beyond the current user context.
- Enable Windows Defender Exploit Guard or equivalent attack surface reduction rules on hosts running Framemaker.
# Query installed Framemaker version on Windows endpoints
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\FrameMaker" /s /v Version
# Block Framemaker file extensions at the mail gateway (example for Exchange)
New-TransportRule -Name "Block Framemaker Attachments" `
-AttachmentExtensionMatchesWords "fm","book","mif" `
-RejectMessageReasonText "Framemaker attachments blocked pending CVE-2025-47125 remediation"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
