CVE-2025-49525: Adobe Illustrator Information Disclosure

CVE-2025-49525 Overview

Adobe Illustrator versions 28.7.6, 29.5.1, and earlier contain an out-of-bounds read vulnerability [CWE-125] that can disclose sensitive process memory. Adobe published the flaw on July 8, 2025 in security bulletin APSB25-65. Exploitation requires a victim to open a crafted file in the Illustrator application. The issue affects Illustrator installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS platforms. Attackers cannot trigger the flaw remotely without user interaction, but successful exploitation exposes memory contents that may include pointers, tokens, or fragments useful for chaining additional attacks.

Critical Impact
Opening a malicious file in a vulnerable Illustrator build can disclose in-process memory to an attacker, aiding follow-on exploitation.

Affected Products

Adobe Illustrator 28.7.6 and earlier (2024 release)
Adobe Illustrator 29.5.1 and earlier (2025 release)
Illustrator installations on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-49525 published to NVD and addressed in Adobe bulletin APSB25-65
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49525

Vulnerability Analysis

The flaw is an out-of-bounds read within Adobe Illustrator file parsing routines. When Illustrator processes a malformed input file, parsing logic reads past the bounds of an allocated buffer. The read returns adjacent heap or stack memory to the caller, which can then be reflected into application state, error output, or embedded in the rendered document. The attack is local and requires the victim to open the file, so delivery typically relies on phishing, shared design assets, or supply chain compromise of creative pipelines. Impact is limited to confidentiality; the flaw does not directly grant code execution or corrupt data. However, disclosed memory can leak Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) base addresses or credentials cached in the process, weakening defenses against paired memory corruption bugs.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds checking on a length or offset field parsed from an untrusted input file. Illustrator trusts an attacker-controlled size and dereferences beyond the buffer boundary. Adobe did not publish the exact file format or parser component involved.

Attack Vector

An attacker crafts a malicious Illustrator-compatible file and delivers it to a targeted user. When the user opens the file in a vulnerable client, the parser triggers the out-of-bounds read. No network access, elevated privileges, or additional user steps beyond opening the document are required.

No public proof-of-concept or exploit code has been published for this vulnerability. Refer to the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory for vendor guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49525

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes or hangs in Illustrator.exe (Windows) or the Adobe Illustrator process (macOS) shortly after opening a file
Illustrator project files (.ai, .ait, .eps, .pdf, .svg) received from untrusted external sources, especially through email or shared drives
Newly created child processes spawned by Illustrator that do not match normal creative workflow behavior

Detection Strategies

Inventory Illustrator installations and flag hosts running versions at or below 28.7.6 or 29.5.1
Correlate Illustrator process crash telemetry with recent file-open events to surface suspicious documents
Alert on Illustrator processes performing anomalous outbound network connections or spawning shells and scripting interpreters

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest endpoint process, file, and crash telemetry into a centralized data lake for retrospective hunting on Illustrator activity
Monitor download and email gateways for Illustrator file types delivered from external senders
Track patch deployment status of Adobe Creative Cloud applications across managed workstations

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49525

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe Illustrator to the versions listed in Adobe security bulletin APSB25-65
Instruct designers and marketing staff not to open Illustrator files received from unverified sources
Prioritize patching for endpoints belonging to users who routinely handle external creative assets

Patch Information

Adobe addressed the vulnerability in the security update documented in bulletin APSB25-65. Administrators should push the update through Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop or their managed software distribution platform and verify the installed version exceeds 28.7.6 and 29.5.1 respectively.

Workarounds

Restrict Illustrator file handling to trusted internal repositories until patching completes
Use email and web filtering to strip or sandbox Illustrator file attachments from external senders
Open suspect files inside isolated virtual machines or dedicated review workstations that do not hold sensitive credentials

bash

# Verify installed Adobe Illustrator version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Illustrator 2025/Adobe Illustrator.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString

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