CVE-2025-61840: Adobe Format Plugins Information Disclosure

CVE-2025-61840 Overview

CVE-2025-61840 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability affecting Adobe Format Plugins versions 1.1.1 and earlier. The flaw resides in file parsing logic and can expose sensitive data stored in process memory. An attacker exploits this issue by crafting a malicious file and convincing a victim to open it in an application that loads the affected format plugin. Successful exploitation discloses memory contents that may include pointers, credentials, or other sensitive artifacts useful for follow-on attacks. The vulnerability is tracked as CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and requires local access with user interaction.

Critical Impact
Memory disclosure that can leak sensitive information from the process address space when a victim opens a crafted file with Adobe Format Plugins 1.1.1 or earlier.

Affected Products

Adobe Format Plugins version 1.1.1
Adobe Format Plugins prior versions (all releases at or below 1.1.1)
Applications that load the affected Adobe format plugin components

Discovery Timeline

2025-11-11 - CVE-2025-61840 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2025-11-11 - Adobe publishes Security Advisory APSB25-114
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-61840

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read in Adobe Format Plugins triggered during parsing of a malicious file. When the plugin processes attacker-controlled file structures, it reads memory beyond the intended buffer boundary. The over-read data is then made available to the caller or reflected into program state where an attacker can observe it. Because the read occurs in the address space of the host application, disclosed bytes may include heap metadata, function pointers, or fragments of previously processed documents. Adobe classifies the impact as memory exposure with no direct effect on integrity or availability. Refer to Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-114 for vendor guidance.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds checking when the format plugin parses structured input from a file. The parser trusts length or offset fields supplied in the file without validating them against the actual size of the allocated buffer. This mismatch allows read operations to walk past the end of the buffer into adjacent memory.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access and user interaction. An attacker delivers a crafted file through email, download, or removable media, then relies on the victim to open it with an application that invokes the affected plugin. No elevated privileges are required for the attacker to prepare the file, and no network interaction is needed to trigger the read.

No public proof-of-concept exploit has been published for CVE-2025-61840. Technical specifics on the vulnerable parsing routine are not disclosed in the vendor advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-61840

Indicators of Compromise

Adobe Format Plugins version at or below 1.1.1 present on endpoints
Unexpected crashes or exceptions in host applications loading Adobe format plugins after opening third-party files
Delivery of unsolicited files targeting formats handled by the affected plugin

Detection Strategies

Inventory endpoints for installations of Adobe Format Plugins and flag versions 1.1.1 and earlier for remediation.
Correlate email and web download telemetry with file-open events on hosts running the affected plugin version.
Alert on child process anomalies or memory access violations originating from applications that load the format plugin.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor endpoint software inventory feeds for the adobe:format_plugins component and its version string.
Track file-open events for uncommon or externally sourced file formats processed by Adobe applications.
Retain application crash telemetry for retrospective analysis if a related exploit chain is disclosed.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-61840

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all systems running Adobe Format Plugins 1.1.1 or earlier and prioritize them for update.
Apply the vendor-supplied fix referenced in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-114.
Instruct users to avoid opening unsolicited files that target formats processed by Adobe plugins.

Patch Information

Adobe has issued guidance in Security Advisory APSB25-114. Administrators should upgrade Adobe Format Plugins to the fixed version identified in the advisory. Consult the advisory for the exact release number applicable to your platform and installation channel.

Workarounds

Restrict opening of files from untrusted sources on systems where the plugin cannot be updated immediately.
Use email gateway and web proxy filtering to block or quarantine file types associated with the affected plugin from external senders.
Apply application allow-listing to limit which processes can load the Adobe Format Plugins components until patching is complete.

bash

# Example: query installed Adobe Format Plugins version on Windows via PowerShell
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Adobe\*" | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion