CVE-2025-43545 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Adobe Bridge versions 15.0.3, 14.1.6, and earlier. The flaw is classified as an Access of Uninitialized Pointer vulnerability (CWE-824), which occurs when the software accesses memory pointers that have not been properly initialized. This can lead to unpredictable behavior, including the potential for arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. The vulnerability requires user interaction, specifically that the victim opens a maliciously crafted file designed to exploit this flaw. Upon successful exploitation, an attacker could execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity, with attack vector Local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patch links have been provided yet. The vulnerability affects a widely used digital asset management tool, Adobe Bridge, which is commonly used by creative professionals for managing media files. Given the nature of the vulnerability, exploitation would typically occur through social engineering or targeted delivery of malicious files to users who then open them in Adobe Bridge.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for industries heavily reliant on digital media management such as advertising, media production, publishing, and design agencies. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, resulting in data theft, system compromise, or disruption of business operations. Since Adobe Bridge is often used on workstations handling sensitive creative assets, an attacker could gain access to proprietary or confidential information. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or spear-phishing campaigns could be used to deliver malicious files, increasing the risk in environments where users frequently exchange media files. Additionally, compromised systems could be leveraged as footholds for lateral movement within corporate networks. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability underscores the potential for severe operational and reputational damage. European organizations must be vigilant due to strict data protection regulations such as GDPR, where breaches involving personal or sensitive data could lead to substantial fines and legal consequences.

Organizations should prioritize updating Adobe Bridge to the latest version as soon as a patch becomes available from Adobe. Until a patch is released, implement strict controls on file handling, including disabling the automatic opening of files in Adobe Bridge and restricting the types of files that can be opened from untrusted sources. Employ advanced email filtering and endpoint protection solutions to detect and block malicious files and phishing attempts. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files, particularly in creative departments. Network segmentation can limit the spread of compromise if an endpoint is affected. Additionally, implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution and monitor endpoint behavior for anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts. Regularly audit and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving exploitation of local vulnerabilities requiring user interaction.