CVE-2025-49568 is a Use After Free (UAF) vulnerability identified in Adobe Illustrator versions 28.7.8, 29.6.1, and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software improperly manages memory, specifically by accessing memory after it has been freed. Such a flaw can lead to disclosure of sensitive memory contents, potentially exposing confidential information to an attacker. The exploitation requires user interaction, meaning an attacker must convince a victim to open a specially crafted malicious Illustrator file. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416, which is a common memory corruption issue that can be leveraged for information disclosure or further exploitation if combined with other vulnerabilities. Given the nature of Illustrator as a widely used professional graphic design tool, this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks, especially in environments where Illustrator files are shared frequently. Attackers could use this flaw to extract sensitive data from the memory of the affected application, potentially including credentials, proprietary design data, or other confidential information loaded in memory during Illustrator sessions.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-49568 could be significant, particularly for industries relying heavily on Adobe Illustrator for design and creative workflows, such as advertising agencies, media companies, publishing houses, and manufacturing firms with design departments. The disclosure of sensitive memory contents could lead to leakage of intellectual property, confidential client data, or internal project details. Since exploitation requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns distributing malicious Illustrator files could be a vector. The medium severity score suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivially exploitable remotely, the risk remains substantial in environments where Illustrator files are exchanged frequently without strict validation. Additionally, the confidentiality impact could have regulatory implications under GDPR if personal or sensitive data is exposed. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future exploitation, especially as threat actors often weaponize such vulnerabilities after public disclosure. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using Illustrator on laptops or desktops may be particularly vulnerable if endpoint protections and user awareness are insufficient.

1. Implement strict email and file filtering policies to detect and block suspicious or unsolicited Illustrator files, especially from unknown sources. 2. Educate users about the risks of opening files from untrusted origins and train them to recognize phishing attempts that may deliver malicious Illustrator files. 3. Monitor and restrict the use of Illustrator files received from external parties, employing sandboxing or detonation chambers to analyze files before allowing them into the network. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous memory access patterns or suspicious Illustrator process behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Maintain up-to-date backups of critical design files and data to mitigate potential secondary impacts from exploitation attempts. 6. Once Adobe releases official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability, prioritize their deployment across all affected systems. 7. Consider application whitelisting or restricting Illustrator usage to trusted users and systems to reduce exposure. 8. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focusing on client-side applications like Illustrator to identify and remediate similar risks proactively.