CVE-2022-35701 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) affecting Adobe Bridge versions 12.0.2 and earlier, as well as 11.1.3 and earlier. Adobe Bridge is a digital asset management application widely used by creative professionals and organizations to organize, browse, and manage multimedia files. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory boundaries when processing certain file inputs, which allows an attacker to write data outside the intended memory buffer. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically that the victim opens a maliciously crafted file using Adobe Bridge. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of reporting, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in July 2022 and publicly disclosed in September 2022. Given the nature of the vulnerability, an attacker could leverage it to execute code, potentially leading to compromise of user data or system integrity, but only with user involvement and within the privileges of the current user account.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially in sectors relying heavily on Adobe Bridge for digital asset management, such as media, advertising, publishing, and design industries. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to data theft, unauthorized access, or lateral movement within corporate networks. However, since the attack requires user interaction (opening a malicious file), the risk is somewhat mitigated by user awareness and security controls. The vulnerability does not inherently allow privilege escalation beyond the current user context, limiting its impact on system-wide compromise. Still, in environments where users have elevated privileges or where Adobe Bridge is integrated into automated workflows, the risk increases. Additionally, the absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited active targeting, but organizations should remain vigilant given the potential for future exploitation. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted spear-phishing campaigns aimed at creative professionals or organizations with valuable digital assets.

Organizations should implement a multi-layered approach to mitigate this vulnerability. First, monitor Adobe's official channels for patches or updates addressing CVE-2022-35701 and apply them promptly once available. Until patches are released, restrict the use of Adobe Bridge to trusted users and environments. Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized files and consider sandboxing Adobe Bridge to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Enhance user training to recognize and avoid opening suspicious or unsolicited files, especially those received via email or external sources. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Network segmentation can limit lateral movement if a compromise occurs. Additionally, disable or limit the ability to open files from untrusted sources within Adobe Bridge settings if possible. Regularly review and enforce the principle of least privilege to ensure users operate with minimal necessary rights, reducing the potential impact of code execution within their context.