CVE-2026-48292: Format Plugins | Heap-based Buffer Overflow (CWE-122)

Synopsis

Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Format Plugins (versions 1.1.2 and earlier) allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the logged-in user. The vulnerability is triggered locally when a victim opens a malicious file, requiring no prior authentication but needing that user interaction to succeed. Successful exploitation gives an attacker full read, write, and execution capability within the user's session. HarborGuard is tracking the advisory and will make a patched-image rebuild available as soon as Adobe publishes a fix.

HarborGuard Coverage

Exploit Conditions

• Network reachabilityNot required

  The attacker needs an existing shell or process on the host; no network exposure is required to deliver the payload.

• AuthenticationNot required

  No account credentials or prior authentication are needed to exploit the vulnerability.

• Victim interactionRequired

  A victim must open a specially crafted malicious file, making social engineering or physical delivery of that file a prerequisite.

• Attack complexityDetail

  Attack complexity is low, meaning the exploit is reliable and does not depend on race conditions, specific memory layouts, or other environmental factors.

Blast Radius

• Reads sensitive files and data accessible to the current user account, including credentials, documents, and application secrets.
• Writes or overwrites files within the user's permissions, enabling persistence mechanisms or corruption of application data.
• Executes arbitrary code in the context of the logged-in user, giving the attacker a working foothold on the host.
• Crashes the affected application or dependent services if the overflow payload is not aimed at code execution.