CVE-2025-32365 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability identified in the freedesktop Poppler library, specifically affecting versions before 25.04.0. The vulnerability arises in the JBIG2Bitmap::combine function within the JBIG2Stream.cc source file, where a misplaced isOk check leads to improper validation of data boundaries when processing JBIG2-encoded bitmap images embedded in PDF files. This flaw allows an attacker to craft malicious PDF files that, when parsed by Poppler, cause the application to read memory beyond the allocated buffer. While this does not directly lead to information disclosure or code execution, it can cause application instability or crashes, resulting in denial of service. The vulnerability requires local access to exploit (Attack Vector: Local), does not require privileges or user interaction, and affects the availability of the application. Poppler is widely used in Linux-based systems and many open-source PDF viewers and tools, making this vulnerability relevant for environments relying on these technologies. No patches or exploits are currently documented, but the issue is publicly disclosed with a CVSS v3.1 score of 4.0 (medium severity). The root cause is a logic error in input validation, emphasizing the need for careful boundary checks in parsing complex file formats like PDF.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-32365 is potential denial of service in applications or services that utilize Poppler for PDF rendering. This could disrupt workflows that depend on automated PDF processing, such as document management systems, email gateways scanning attachments, or desktop PDF viewers in enterprise environments. Although the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated crashes or service interruptions could degrade productivity and availability of critical systems. Organizations with Linux-heavy infrastructure or those using open-source PDF tools are more exposed. Additionally, sectors handling large volumes of PDF documents, such as government agencies, legal firms, and financial institutions, may face operational risks. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat, but the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or combined with other flaws for escalation. Overall, the impact is moderate but warrants timely remediation to maintain service reliability.

To mitigate CVE-2025-32365, European organizations should prioritize upgrading Poppler to version 25.04.0 or later once the patch is released, as this will contain the corrected isOk check and boundary validation. Until then, organizations should implement strict input validation and filtering of PDF files, especially those from untrusted sources, to reduce exposure to crafted malicious documents. Sandboxing PDF rendering processes can limit the impact of potential crashes and prevent broader system compromise. Monitoring logs for application crashes related to PDF processing can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, consider deploying application whitelisting and restricting local user permissions to minimize the risk of local exploitation. For environments where upgrading is delayed, isolating PDF processing services and using alternative PDF libraries with no known vulnerabilities may be prudent. Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management processes should be enforced to quickly address this and similar issues.