CVE-2021-21007

Code execution via uncontrolled search path

Published Jan 13, 2021 · Updated Apr 23, 2025

Uncontrolled search path handling in Adobe Illustrator 25.0 and earlier allows attackers to execute code when a malicious file is opened. Adobe has not disclosed the affected executable, library name, searched path, or exact unsafe path-resolution operation. Attackers must persuade a local user to open the file; resulting code runs with that user's privileges, with no reported privilege escalation.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability2.15%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Uncontrolled search path handling in Adobe Illustrator 25.0 and earlier allows attackers to execute code when a malicious file is opened. Adobe has not disclosed the affected executable, library name, searched path, or exact unsafe path-resolution operation. Attackers must persuade a local user to open the file; resulting code runs with that user's privileges, with no reported privilege escalation.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-21007
Published
Jan 13, 2021
Updated
Apr 23, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Illustrator
Classifications
CWE-427, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 13, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 23, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=25.0 and earlier

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Illustratorversion=25.0 and earlier

Published CVSS scores

7.0Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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