CVE-2025-49528: Adobe Illustrator Buffer Overflow Flaw

CVE-2025-49528 Overview

CVE-2025-49528 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability [CWE-121] affecting Adobe Illustrator versions 28.7.6, 29.5.1, and earlier on both Windows and macOS. The flaw can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a malicious file crafted by an attacker.

Adobe addressed the issue in security bulletin APSB25-65. The vulnerability carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 with an EPSS score of 0.251%.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Illustrator, enabling malware installation, data theft, or lateral movement from the compromised workstation.

Affected Products

Adobe Illustrator 2024 versions 28.7.6 and earlier
Adobe Illustrator 2025 versions 29.5.1 and earlier
Both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS installations

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-49528 published to NVD
2025-07-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49528

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow within Adobe Illustrator's file parsing logic. Illustrator processes complex vector file formats including .ai, .eps, .pdf, and .svg. When the application parses a malformed file, attacker-controlled data exceeds the bounds of a fixed-size buffer allocated on the stack.

Stack-based overflows allow attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory including saved return addresses, frame pointers, and exception handler records. By controlling these values, an attacker can redirect execution to attacker-supplied shellcode or chain existing executable code through return-oriented programming.

Adobe classifies the issue as [CWE-121]. Refer to the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory for vendor-specific technical details.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper bounds checking when copying file-derived data into a stack-allocated buffer during parsing. The parser trusts length or size fields embedded within the malicious file without validating them against the destination buffer capacity. This permits the overflow to occur during normal file open operations.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a crafted Illustrator-compatible file through email attachments, file shares, malicious websites, or supply chain delivery. The victim must open the file in a vulnerable Illustrator version to trigger the overflow. No network exposure or elevated privileges are required by the attacker.

No public exploit code or proof-of-concept has been published for CVE-2025-49528 at the time of writing. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49528

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by Illustrator.exe on Windows or Adobe Illustrator on macOS, particularly cmd.exe, powershell.exe, bash, or osascript.
Crash dumps or Windows Error Reporting events referencing Illustrator with access violations in stack memory regions.
Suspicious .ai, .eps, or .svg files arriving via email or downloads from untrusted sources immediately before anomalous endpoint activity.
Outbound network connections initiated by the Illustrator process to unfamiliar IP addresses or domains.

Detection Strategies

Monitor for process-tree anomalies where Illustrator spawns shell, scripting, or LOLBin processes.
Apply behavioral detection rules that flag Illustrator writing executable content to disk or modifying autorun locations.
Hunt for memory injection patterns within the Illustrator process address space, including unbacked executable regions.

Monitoring Recommendations

Centralize endpoint telemetry including process creation, file modification, and network connection events for design workstations.
Track Illustrator version inventory across the fleet to identify systems still running 28.7.6, 29.5.1, or earlier builds.
Alert on Illustrator file opens originating from temporary download folders, email client cache directories, or removable media.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49528

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe Illustrator to the patched versions identified in Adobe security bulletin APSB25-65 on all Windows and macOS endpoints.
Inventory all workstations running Illustrator and prioritize patching for users who routinely receive external design files.
Instruct users to avoid opening Illustrator files from untrusted sources, including unsolicited email attachments and unverified downloads.
Block or quarantine inbound .ai and .eps attachments at the email gateway pending patch deployment.

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed versions of Illustrator addressing CVE-2025-49528. Consult the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory for the exact patched version numbers and download links for both Windows and macOS platforms. Deploy updates through Adobe Creative Cloud or enterprise software distribution tooling.

Workarounds

Restrict execution of Illustrator to standard user accounts without local administrator rights to limit post-exploitation impact.
Enable operating system exploit mitigations including Data Execution Prevention, Address Space Layout Randomization, and Control Flow Guard where available.
Use application allowlisting to prevent child processes such as powershell.exe or cmd.exe from being launched by Illustrator.
Open untrusted design files only within isolated virtual machines or sandboxed environments until patching is complete.

bash

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

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