CVE-2025-49563: Adobe Illustrator RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-49563 Overview

CVE-2025-49563 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] affecting Adobe Illustrator versions 28.7.8, 29.6.1, and earlier. The flaw enables arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a maliciously crafted file. Adobe published a security advisory addressing the issue across Windows and macOS installations. Successful exploitation requires user interaction, which limits remote attack scenarios but aligns with phishing and supply chain delivery techniques common against creative professionals.

Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Illustrator after the victim opens a crafted file.

Affected Products

Adobe Illustrator 28.7.8 and earlier (2024 release)
Adobe Illustrator 29.6.1 and earlier (2025 release)
Windows and macOS installations of the affected versions

Discovery Timeline

2025-08-12 - CVE-2025-49563 published to NVD
2025-08-14 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49563

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write [CWE-787] in Adobe Illustrator's file parsing logic. When Illustrator processes a malformed document, the application writes data past the allocated buffer boundary. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent structures, including function pointers or object metadata. An attacker can craft input that steers execution into attacker-controlled code paths.

Exploitation runs in the security context of the user opening the file. On workstations where designers operate with elevated permissions, the impact extends to broader system compromise. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all affected.

Root Cause

The defect stems from insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of structured file content. Illustrator does not adequately validate size or offset fields before performing memory writes, allowing crafted values to direct writes outside the intended buffer. This pattern is consistent with format parser vulnerabilities historically reported across Adobe's Creative Cloud products.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a malicious Illustrator-compatible file through email, web download, shared storage, or collaboration platforms. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable version of Illustrator, the parser triggers the out-of-bounds write. No prior authentication to the target system is required by the attacker.

No public proof-of-concept exploit code is available for this vulnerability. Refer to the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory (APSB25-74) for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49563

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected Illustrator process crashes or Windows Error Reporting events tied to Illustrator.exe
Illustrator spawning child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or bash on macOS
Inbound .ai, .eps, .pdf, or .svg files from untrusted senders opened on creative workstations

Detection Strategies

Monitor process lineage where Illustrator.exe or Adobe Illustrator is the parent of shell or scripting interpreters
Alert on Illustrator writing executable files (.exe, .dll, .dylib, .scpt) to user-writable locations
Inspect crash telemetry for repeated faults in Illustrator modules, which can indicate exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

Maintain EDR visibility on endpoints used by design and marketing teams where Illustrator is deployed
Track outbound network connections initiated by Illustrator that deviate from Adobe service endpoints
Correlate email gateway logs with endpoint file-open events to identify malicious document delivery

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49563

Immediate Actions Required

Update Illustrator to the fixed versions identified in Adobe security bulletin APSB25-74
Inventory endpoints running vulnerable versions 28.7.8 and 29.6.1 or earlier and prioritize patching
Instruct users to avoid opening Illustrator files from untrusted or unverified sources until patching is complete

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed versions through the Creative Cloud desktop application. Administrators should consult the Adobe Illustrator Security Advisory (APSB25-74) for the exact patched build numbers and deployment guidance for Windows and macOS.

Workarounds

Restrict Illustrator file associations so untrusted files cannot auto-open in the application
Apply application allowlisting to block execution of child processes spawned by Illustrator
Enforce least-privilege on creative workstations to limit the impact of code execution under the user context

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 "Adobe Illustrator*" } |
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion