CVE-2025-47127: Adobe FrameMaker RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-47127 Overview

Adobe FrameMaker contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that enables arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The flaw affects FrameMaker versions 2020.8, 2022.6, and earlier releases on Microsoft Windows. Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a malicious document crafted to trigger the memory corruption condition. Adobe documented the issue in security bulletin APSB25-66 and released patched builds. The weakness is classified under [CWE-787] (Out-of-Bounds Write).

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-on user, potentially leading to full workstation compromise when the user holds administrative rights.

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 builds

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-47127 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2025-07-10 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47127

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write in Adobe FrameMaker, the structured authoring application used for technical documentation. When FrameMaker parses a malformed input file, the application writes data beyond the bounds of an allocated buffer. This corruption of adjacent memory structures can be steered by an attacker to redirect program control flow. Because exploitation occurs entirely on the local workstation through file parsing, the vulnerability does not require network access. However, the attack vector aligns with common spear-phishing tradecraft, where malicious documents are delivered through email or file-sharing services.

The EPSS model reports a low probability of in-the-wild exploitation activity as of the most recent scoring update. No public proof-of-concept code has been published, and the issue is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Root Cause

The underlying defect maps to [CWE-787]. FrameMaker's file parser fails to validate length or offset values within a structured document before writing parsed content into a fixed-size buffer. Once the write crosses the buffer boundary, adjacent heap metadata, function pointers, or object virtual tables can be overwritten, enabling control-flow hijacking.

Attack Vector

An attacker crafts a malicious FrameMaker document containing fields designed to trigger the out-of-bounds write. The file is delivered through phishing email, a compromised file share, or a drive-by download. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable FrameMaker installation, the parser corrupts memory and executes attacker-supplied shellcode in the user's session. No verified public exploit code is available; refer to the Adobe FrameMaker Security Update for vendor-confirmed technical scope.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47127

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by FrameMaker.exe, particularly command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or wscript.exe
FrameMaker process crashes followed by suspicious file writes in the user profile directory
FrameMaker documents (.fm, .mif, .book) arriving from external email senders or untrusted file shares
Outbound network connections initiated by FrameMaker.exe to previously unseen domains or IP addresses

Detection Strategies

Monitor for anomalous process lineage where Adobe FrameMaker is the parent process of script interpreters or LOLBins
Apply YARA or content rules to flag FrameMaker documents with malformed structural fields when scanned at the email gateway
Correlate FrameMaker crash events in the Windows Application event log with subsequent process creation or persistence activity

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward Sysmon Event IDs 1, 7, and 11 from systems with FrameMaker installed to a central analytics platform
Track installed FrameMaker versions across the fleet and alert on hosts that remain on 2020.8, 2022.6, or earlier
Audit user accounts running FrameMaker with local administrator privileges and prioritize them for monitoring

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47127

Immediate Actions Required

Inventory all endpoints running Adobe FrameMaker and identify hosts on vulnerable builds
Apply the updates referenced in Adobe security bulletin APSB25-66 on every affected system
Restrict execution of FrameMaker to user accounts that do not hold local administrator rights
Block inbound FrameMaker file types at email gateways unless the sender is explicitly trusted

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed builds that supersede FrameMaker 2020.8 and 2022.6. Consult the Adobe FrameMaker Security Update advisory for the exact patched version numbers and download locations. Adobe assigns this update a priority rating consistent with desktop document applications that require user interaction for exploitation.

Workarounds

Do not open FrameMaker documents originating from untrusted or unverified sources
Enforce Windows Attack Surface Reduction rules that block Office and document applications from creating child processes
Run FrameMaker inside an application sandbox or virtualized session for users who must process external documents

bash

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