CVE-2025-21160
📋 TL;DR
Adobe Illustrator versions 29.1, 28.7.3 and earlier contain an integer underflow vulnerability that could allow arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious file. This affects all users running vulnerable versions of Illustrator on any supported operating system.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Illustrator
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with attacker gaining the same privileges as the current user, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Malicious actor tricks user into opening specially crafted Illustrator file, leading to malware installation or credential harvesting.
If Mitigated
User opens malicious file but exploit fails due to security controls, resulting in application crash or file corruption.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user interaction (opening malicious file). Integer underflow vulnerabilities can be complex to exploit reliably.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Update to Illustrator 29.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/illustrator/apsb25-11.html
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Creative Cloud application. 2. Navigate to 'Apps' tab. 3. Find Illustrator and click 'Update'. 4. Alternatively, download latest version from Adobe website.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Illustrator file handling
allConfigure system to open .ai files with alternative applications or require verification before opening.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized Illustrator execution
- Educate users to only open Illustrator files from trusted sources and enable file extension warnings
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Illustrator version via Help > About Illustrator. If version is 29.1, 28.7.3 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
On Windows: Check Illustrator.exe properties. On macOS: Right-click Illustrator.app > Get Info.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify Illustrator version is 29.2 or later after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Illustrator crash logs with memory access violations
- Unexpected Illustrator process spawning child processes
Network Indicators:
- Illustrator process making unexpected outbound connections after file open
SIEM Query:
process_name:"Illustrator.exe" AND (event_id:1000 OR parent_process:!"explorer.exe")