Arbitrary code execution via malicious file
Published Feb 11, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026
Use-after-free in Adobe Illustrator 29.1 and earlier and 28.7.3 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a malicious file. Adobe has not published the affected parser, object, or deallocation sequence that leaves freed memory accessible. A victim must open the crafted file; successful exploitation runs arbitrary code in the context of that user.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Adobe Illustrator 29.1 and earlier and 28.7.3 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a malicious file. Adobe has not published the affected parser, object, or deallocation sequence that leaves freed memory accessible. A victim must open the crafted file; successful exploitation runs arbitrary code in the context of that user.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-21159
- Published
- Feb 11, 2025
- Updated
- Feb 26, 2026
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Illustrator
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 11, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 26, 2026Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=0 <=28.7.3
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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