CVE-2025-61836 is an integer underflow vulnerability (CWE-191) identified in Adobe Illustrator on iPad versions 3.0.9 and earlier. The vulnerability arises due to improper handling of integer values, which can wrap around when decremented below zero, leading to unexpected behavior in memory management. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker who crafts a malicious Illustrator file that, when opened by a victim on the iPad, triggers the integer underflow condition. The result is the potential for arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected device. The attack vector requires local access to the device and user interaction (opening the malicious file), but no authentication or elevated privileges are needed. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity due to the combination of high impact on all security properties and relatively low attack complexity. Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, and Adobe has not yet released a patch. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to users who frequently exchange Illustrator files, particularly in professional and creative environments where Illustrator on iPad is commonly used.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-61836 could be substantial, especially for those in the digital creative, advertising, and media sectors that rely heavily on Adobe Illustrator on iPad for design workflows. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, enabling attackers to steal sensitive design files, intellectual property, or deploy further malware within corporate networks. The compromise of user devices could also facilitate lateral movement or data exfiltration. Given the vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, organizations may face operational disruptions, reputational damage, and potential regulatory consequences under GDPR if personal or sensitive data is exposed. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but targeted spear-phishing or supply chain attacks remain plausible. The lack of a patch increases the window of exposure, necessitating immediate risk management actions.

Organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Educate users about the risks of opening Illustrator files from untrusted or unknown sources, emphasizing caution with email attachments and file downloads. 2) Enforce strict file validation and sandboxing policies where possible to isolate Illustrator files before opening. 3) Monitor network and endpoint activity for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected process launches or memory anomalies. 4) Restrict the use of Illustrator on iPad to trusted environments and consider disabling the app on devices where it is not essential. 5) Maintain up-to-date backups of critical design files to enable recovery in case of compromise. 6) Stay alert for Adobe’s security advisories and apply patches immediately upon release. 7) Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and control application usage on iPads. 8) Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting exploitation patterns related to integer underflow vulnerabilities.