CVE-2025-61838 Overview
CVE-2025-61838 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Adobe Format Plugins version 1.1.1 and earlier. Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution in the context of the user who opens a crafted file. The flaw maps to [CWE-122: Heap-based Buffer Overflow] and [CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write].
Adobe published security advisory APSB25-114 addressing this issue. Exploitation requires user interaction because the victim must open a malicious file. No public proof-of-concept code or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported as of publication.
Critical Impact
An attacker who convinces a user to open a malicious file can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user, leading to full compromise of the user session.
Affected Products
- Adobe Format Plugins 1.1.1
- Adobe Format Plugins versions earlier than 1.1.1
- Workflows that load Adobe Format Plugins into Adobe host applications
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-11 - CVE-2025-61838 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Entry last modified in NVD
Technical Details for CVE-2025-61838
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow in the Adobe Format Plugins file parsing logic. When the plugin processes a malformed input file, it writes data beyond the bounds of a heap-allocated buffer. The out-of-bounds write corrupts adjacent heap metadata or object pointers, which an attacker can use to redirect execution flow.
Because the plugin runs inside the host Adobe application, code execution occurs in the security context of the current user. On workstations where users hold administrative rights, the impact escalates accordingly. The attack vector is local and requires the victim to open the malicious file, which is consistent with the user interaction requirement noted in the CVSS metrics.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of length or offset fields during file format parsing. The plugin allocates a heap buffer based on assumed structure sizes, then copies attacker-controlled content from the file without enforcing the allocated boundary. This pattern aligns with both [CWE-122] and [CWE-787], where attacker-controlled input drives an out-of-bounds heap write.
Attack Vector
An attacker crafts a malicious file in a format handled by Adobe Format Plugins and delivers it through phishing, watering-hole pages, or shared drives. When the victim opens the file in an Adobe host application that loads the affected plugin, the parsing routine triggers the overflow. Heap shaping followed by control-flow hijack yields arbitrary code execution under the user account. The current EPSS score is 0.2%, reflecting a low predicted likelihood of near-term exploitation.
No verified exploit code is publicly available. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-114 for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-61838
Indicators of Compromise
- Adobe host application processes spawning unexpected child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or bash immediately after opening a document.
- Crash artifacts or Windows Error Reporting entries referencing Adobe Format Plugins modules with access-violation exceptions on heap writes.
- Unusual outbound network connections initiated by Adobe processes shortly after file open events.
Detection Strategies
- Hunt for file open events involving non-standard format extensions handled by Adobe Format Plugins, followed by suspicious child-process creation.
- Correlate endpoint telemetry showing Adobe processes loading unsigned modules or performing memory allocations with RWX protections.
- Apply behavioral rules that flag Adobe host applications writing executables or scripts to user-writable paths such as %APPDATA% or %TEMP%.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Adobe application crash logs and Windows Error Reporting events to a central SIEM for anomaly review.
- Monitor email gateways and web proxies for inbound files matching the formats processed by Adobe Format Plugins from untrusted senders.
- Track installed versions of Adobe Format Plugins across endpoints to identify hosts still running 1.1.1 or earlier.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-61838
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Format Plugins to the fixed version listed in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-114.
- Inventory endpoints and build servers for vulnerable installations of Adobe Format Plugins.
- Restrict opening of files from untrusted sources until patching is complete across the environment.
Patch Information
Adobe addressed CVE-2025-61838 in the updates published under bulletin APSB25-114. Apply the vendor-supplied installer to replace Format Plugins 1.1.1 and earlier with the patched release. Validate the upgrade by checking the plugin version through the host Adobe application after deployment.
Workarounds
- Remove Adobe Format Plugins from systems that do not require the affected file format support.
- Enforce least-privilege user accounts so that arbitrary code execution does not yield administrative rights.
- Block delivery of the targeted file formats at email and web gateways until patching is verified.
# Example: enumerate Adobe Format Plugins installations on Windows endpoints
Get-ChildItem -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe" -Recurse -Filter "*FormatPlugin*" |
Select-Object FullName, VersionInfo
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
