CVE-2026-27271
Published: 10 March 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-27271 is a high-severity Heap-based Buffer Overflow (CWE-122) vulnerability in Adobe Illustrator. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203); ranked at the 10.4th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-2 (Flaw Remediation) and SI-16 (Memory Protection).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2026-27271 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) affecting Adobe Illustrator versions 29.8.4, 30.1, and earlier. Published on 2026-03-10, the flaw could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H).
Exploitation requires user interaction, as a victim must open a malicious file in the affected Illustrator versions. Local attackers with no privileges can craft and deliver such files, potentially tricking users into opening them via social engineering or shared documents, leading to full arbitrary code execution with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Adobe's security advisory APSB26-18 details the issue and mitigation steps, available at https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/illustrator/apsb26-18.html.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-10949
Vulnerability details
Illustrator versions 29.8.4, 30.1 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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…
more
open a malicious file.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Heap buffer overflow enables arbitrary code execution upon opening a crafted malicious file in a client application, directly mapping to client-side exploitation (T1203) that requires user execution of the malicious file (T1204.002).
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly requires identification, reporting, and timely patching of flaws like the heap-based buffer overflow in vulnerable Adobe Illustrator versions to eliminate the vulnerability.
Implements memory safeguards such as ASLR and DEP that mitigate exploitation of heap buffer overflows even if the vulnerable software is not yet patched.
Deploys anti-malware protections to scan and block malicious Illustrator files crafted to trigger the buffer overflow before user interaction.