CVE-2026-21280 Illustrator | Untrusted Search Path (CWE-426)
An attacker can execute arbitrary code by tricking a user into opening a malicious file that exploits an untrusted search path in Adobe Illustrator.
- 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-2026-21280?
CVE-2026-21280 is a high-severity vulnerability in Adobe Illustrator, published on 13 Jan 2026. 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 29.8.3, 30.0 and earlier are affected by an Untrusted Search Path vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. If the application uses a search path to locate critical resources such as programs, an attacker could modify that search path to point to a malicious program, which the targeted application would then execute. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file and scope is changed.
Weakness: CWE-426
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-21280?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Adobe Illustrator.
How do I fix CVE-2026-21280?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-21280 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-21280 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-21280 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Adobe Illustrator
Sources
Also known as GHSA-7pj6-2f5q-9w48.