CVE-2025-49530: Adobe Illustrator RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-49530 Overview

CVE-2025-49530 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] affecting Adobe Illustrator versions 28.7.6, 29.5.1, and earlier. The flaw allows attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a malicious file crafted by the attacker. Adobe issued a security patch addressed in advisory APSB25-65. The vulnerability affects Illustrator installations on both Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows platforms.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-49530 enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Adobe Illustrator, potentially leading to full compromise of the affected workstation.

Affected Products

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

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-49530 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49530

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2025-49530 is classified as an out-of-bounds write weakness [CWE-787]. The flaw occurs when Adobe Illustrator parses a specially crafted file and writes data beyond the boundary of an allocated buffer. Out-of-bounds writes corrupt adjacent memory structures such as heap metadata, function pointers, or virtual table entries. Attackers can leverage that corruption to redirect execution flow and run arbitrary code in the user's security context.

The attack vector is local and requires the victim to open a malicious Illustrator-compatible file (such as an .ai, .eps, .pdf, or .svg document). No elevated privileges are required to trigger the issue, but user interaction is mandatory. Successful exploitation results in code running with the privileges of the logged-in user, which is sufficient for credential theft, lateral movement, or staging additional payloads. The EPSS exploitation probability stands at 0.2% as of 2026-06-22, and no public proof-of-concept has been published.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of input data dimensions or length fields during file parsing inside Illustrator. When parsing routines copy attacker-controlled data into fixed or undersized buffers without enforcing boundary checks, the write exceeds the allocated region. Adobe has not published the specific parser or file format component responsible. Refer to the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory APSB25-65 for vendor-confirmed details.

Attack Vector

An attacker delivers a malicious file via phishing email, drive-by download, watering-hole site, or shared cloud storage. When the targeted designer or user opens the file in Adobe Illustrator, the parser triggers the out-of-bounds write. The attacker then gains arbitrary code execution at the user's privilege level. No network exposure of Illustrator is required because the attack is purely client-side and file-based.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability. The vulnerability mechanism is described in prose; see the Adobe advisory for vendor-supplied technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49530

Indicators of Compromise

Adobe Illustrator process (Illustrator.exe on Windows, Adobe Illustrator on macOS) spawning unexpected child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, bash, or osascript.
Unexpected crashes or exceptions logged by Illustrator when opening graphic files received from external sources.
Suspicious outbound network connections initiated by the Illustrator process to unknown hosts shortly after a file is opened.
Creation of executables, scripts, or scheduled tasks in user-writable directories immediately following document open events.

Detection Strategies

Hunt for parent-child process anomalies where Adobe Illustrator launches command interpreters or scripting hosts.
Inspect endpoint telemetry for memory access violations and access violation exception codes (0xC0000005) tied to the Illustrator process.
Correlate email and web gateway logs with endpoint file-open events for .ai, .eps, .svg, and .pdf files originating from untrusted senders.
Apply behavioral analytics that flag document-handler processes performing token impersonation, credential access, or persistence operations.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable detailed process creation logging (Windows Event ID 4688 with command line, Sysmon Event ID 1) on workstations running Illustrator.
Centralize endpoint and application crash telemetry to a SIEM or data lake for correlation with threat intelligence on malicious design files.
Track installed Adobe Illustrator versions via software inventory tools to identify hosts still running 28.7.6, 29.5.1, or earlier.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49530

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Adobe Illustrator to the fixed version listed in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-65 on all macOS and Windows endpoints.
Inventory all systems running Illustrator and prioritize patching for users who routinely receive design files from external parties.
Restrict opening of Illustrator files from untrusted sources until patching is complete, and reinforce phishing awareness for creative teams.
Verify endpoint protection signatures and behavioral rules are current to identify exploitation attempts targeting Illustrator.

Patch Information

Adobe addressed CVE-2025-49530 in security advisory APSB25-65. Customers should apply the updates published for Illustrator 2024 (post-28.7.6) and Illustrator 2025 (post-29.5.1) through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling. Consult the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory for exact fixed build numbers.

Workarounds

If immediate patching is not feasible, block delivery of Illustrator-native file formats (.ai, .eps) from external email senders at the gateway.
Configure application allowlisting to prevent Illustrator from spawning command interpreters or scripting engines.
Run Illustrator under standard (non-administrative) user accounts to limit the blast radius of successful exploitation.

bash

# Example: query installed Adobe Illustrator version on Windows endpoints
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Illustrator" /s /v Version

# Example: identify Adobe Illustrator version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Illustrator 2025/Adobe Illustrator.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString