CVE-2025-21159 Illustrator | Use After Free (CWE-416)

High 7.8 Published 11 Feb 2025 Updated 26 Feb 2026

A use-after-free flaw in Adobe Illustrator allows arbitrary code execution if a user opens a malicious file.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2025-21159?

CVE-2025-21159 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Adobe Illustrator, published on 11 Feb 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

Illustrator versions 29.1, 28.7.3 and earlier are affected by a Use After Free vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-21159?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Adobe Illustrator.

How do I fix CVE-2025-21159?

No fix has been published for CVE-2025-21159 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.

Is CVE-2025-21159 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-21159 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Adobe Illustrator vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-m36r-2732-xm94.