Severe Adobe Illustrator Flaw Allows Remote Code Execution

Adobe has issued an urgent security update for its widely used graphic design software, Adobe Illustrator, following the discovery of a critical heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-30330.

This flaw, which allows arbitrary code execution on affected systems, impacts both Windows and macOS versions of Illustrator 2024 and 2025.

Rated with a CVSS score of 7.8, the vulnerability could enable attackers to take control of a user’s device by tricking them into opening a malicious file.

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Adobe has released patches for the affected software and urges users to update immediately via the Creative Cloud desktop app.

The newly disclosed vulnerability, classified under CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow), resides in how Adobe Illustrator processes certain file types.

Attackers exploiting this flaw could craft specially designed documents that, when opened, overflow memory buffers and execute malicious code on the victim’s system.

This type of exploit typically requires minimal user interaction, as the payload activates once the file is previewed or edited.

Adobe’s security team assigned the vulnerability a “Critical” severity rating due to its potential to compromise system integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) assessment rates the flaw at 7.8 (High), noting that exploitation requires local access and user interaction but could lead to full system control.

Security researcher yjdfy identified and reported the issue through Adobe’s HackerOne bug bounty program, highlighting the effectiveness of collaborative security initiatives.

Software Versions and Update Procedures

The vulnerability impacts Illustrator 2025 (versions 29.3 and earlier) and Illustrator 2024 (versions 28.7.5 and earlier) across both Windows and macOS platforms.

Adobe has addressed the flaw in the latest updates: Illustrator 2025 version 29.4 and Illustrator 2024 version 28.7.6.

Users are advised to install these patches immediately via the Creative Cloud desktop app’s update mechanism or through the direct download links provided on Adobe’s security bulletin page.

Adobe categorizes the update with a Priority 3 rating, indicating administrators should deploy the patch within 30 days.

While the company has not observed active exploitation in the wild, the critical nature of the vulnerability warrants expedited action.

Organizations relying on Illustrator for design work should prioritize updating all affected installations to mitigate the risk of supply chain attacks or targeted breaches.

Adobe’s Response and Security

In its advisory, Adobe emphasized proactive measures to safeguard users, including its public bug bounty program and collaboration with external researchers like yjdfy.

The company’s Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) continues to monitor threats while encouraging users to report vulnerabilities via its HackerOne portal.

For enterprises managing large-scale deployments, Adobe recommends enabling automatic updates in the Creative Cloud administrator console to ensure timely protection.

Individual users should verify their software version by navigating to Help > About Illustrator and initiating manual updates if necessary.

Additional guidance is available on Adobe’s security help page, which provides step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting update issues.

While no exploits have been documented yet, the disclosure underscores the persistent risks associated with complex design software.

Adobe Illustrator’s integration with other Creative Cloud tools and frequent file-sharing workflows make it a high-value target for attackers.

Users are advised to exercise caution when opening files from untrusted sources, even after applying the update.

As cybersecurity threats evolve, Adobe’s rapid patch deployment and transparency in acknowledging researcher contributions set a benchmark for industry practices.

However, this incident also serves as a reminder for designers and organizations to maintain rigorous update protocols and remain vigilant against socially engineered attacks.

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