CVE-2022-28850 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) affecting Adobe Bridge, specifically version 12.0.1 and earlier. Adobe Bridge is a digital asset management application widely used by creative professionals to organize, browse, and manage multimedia files. The vulnerability allows an attacker to read memory outside the intended buffer boundaries when a specially crafted malicious file is opened by the user. This out-of-bounds read can lead to the disclosure of sensitive memory contents, potentially exposing confidential information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other sensitive data stored in memory. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged to bypass security mitigations like Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), which is designed to prevent exploitation by randomizing memory addresses. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a malicious file, which means the attack vector is likely through phishing emails, malicious downloads, or compromised file shares. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of this report, and no official patches or updates have been linked yet. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity by the vendor, reflecting the moderate risk posed by the need for user interaction and the nature of the impact.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-28850 can be significant, especially for sectors relying heavily on Adobe Bridge for digital asset management, such as media companies, advertising agencies, design firms, and cultural institutions. Disclosure of sensitive memory could lead to leakage of confidential project files, intellectual property, or user credentials, potentially facilitating further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within networks. The ability to bypass ASLR increases the risk that this vulnerability could be chained with other exploits to achieve remote code execution or persistent compromise. While the requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation, targeted spear-phishing campaigns could be effective against high-value targets. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. Organizations with strict data protection regulations, such as those under GDPR, could face compliance and reputational risks if sensitive data is leaked due to this vulnerability.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict and monitor the use of Adobe Bridge to only trusted users and environments, minimizing exposure. 2) Educate users on the risks of opening files from untrusted or unknown sources, emphasizing the threat of malicious files. 3) Employ advanced email filtering and endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting and blocking malicious files or suspicious behaviors related to file handling. 4) Use application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized or unpatched versions of Adobe Bridge from running. 5) Monitor memory and process behavior for anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts, leveraging endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. 6) Maintain a robust patch management process and stay alert for Adobe security updates addressing this vulnerability, applying them promptly once available. 7) Consider sandboxing or isolating Adobe Bridge usage in virtualized environments to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 8) Conduct regular security awareness training focused on social engineering and file-based attack vectors.