CVE-2022-38435

User-assisted arbitrary code execution

Published Oct 25, 2022 · Updated Apr 23, 2025

Improper input validation in Illustrator 26.4 and earlier and 25.4.7 and earlier allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious file. Adobe identifies the validation failure but does not disclose the affected parser, input field, or incorrect operation performed on file data. Execution occurs in the current user's context only after the victim opens the crafted file, with no broader privilege established.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.36%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Illustrator 26.4 and earlier and 25.4.7 and earlier allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious file. Adobe identifies the validation failure but does not disclose the affected parser, input field, or incorrect operation performed on file data. Execution occurs in the current user's context only after the victim opens the crafted file, with no broader privilege established.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-38435
Published
Oct 25, 2022
Updated
Apr 23, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Illustrator
Classifications
CWE-20, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 25, 2022CVE 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 <=25.4.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=26.4
  3. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Illustratorversion=unspecified <=25.4.7; version=unspecified <=26.4; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

7.8Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1204.002Malicious 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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