CVE-2021-36011Network attack vector

Arbitrary code execution via debugger-assisted command injection

Published Aug 20, 2021 · Updated Apr 23, 2025

OS command injection in Adobe Illustrator 25.2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a malicious file. Adobe discloses only that Illustrator fails to neutralize command elements when chained with a JavaScript development and debugging tool; the affected code locus is not public. Exploitation requires a user to open the file, and resulting code runs in the current user's context.

CVSS severity8.3
High
EPSS probability1.92%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in Adobe Illustrator 25.2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a malicious file. Adobe discloses only that Illustrator fails to neutralize command elements when chained with a JavaScript development and debugging tool; the affected code locus is not public. Exploitation requires a user to open the file, and resulting code runs in the current user's context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-36011
Published
Aug 20, 2021
Updated
Apr 23, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Illustrator
Classifications
CWE-78, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 20, 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=unspecified <=25.2.3
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Illustratorversion=unspecified <=25.2.3; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

8.3AdobeCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
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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