CVE-2025-47098 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Adobe InCopy versions 20.3, 19.5.3, and earlier. The vulnerability is classified as an Access of Uninitialized Pointer (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. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the opening of a maliciously crafted InCopy file. Once triggered, an attacker could execute code with the privileges of the user running the application, potentially leading to full compromise of the user's environment. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and may be targeted in the near future. The vulnerability affects a widely used Adobe product in the publishing and content creation sectors, which often handle sensitive intellectual property and client data.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-47098 could be significant, especially for those in media, publishing, advertising, and creative industries that rely heavily on Adobe InCopy for collaborative editorial workflows. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive content, alteration or destruction of intellectual property, and disruption of publishing operations. Given the arbitrary code execution capability, attackers could also use compromised systems as footholds for lateral movement within corporate networks, potentially escalating to broader enterprise compromise. The requirement for user interaction (opening a malicious file) means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be vectors for attack, which are common threat tactics in Europe. Additionally, regulatory frameworks such as GDPR impose strict data protection requirements, and a breach resulting from this vulnerability could lead to significant legal and financial penalties. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score underscores the urgency for European organizations to address this risk promptly.

European organizations should implement targeted mitigation strategies beyond generic advice: 1) Immediately audit and inventory all Adobe InCopy installations to identify affected versions (20.3, 19.5.3, and earlier). 2) Monitor Adobe's official channels closely for patches or security updates and prioritize rapid deployment once available. 3) Until patches are released, restrict the use of Adobe InCopy to trusted files only, employing application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to limit exposure to untrusted documents. 4) Enhance email and file filtering solutions to detect and block potentially malicious InCopy files, leveraging file type and content inspection. 5) Conduct user awareness training focused on the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files, emphasizing the specific threat posed by this vulnerability. 6) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools configured to detect anomalous behaviors consistent with exploitation attempts, such as unexpected process launches or memory access patterns. 7) Review and enforce least privilege principles for users running Adobe InCopy to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. 8) Consider network segmentation for systems handling sensitive publishing workflows to contain any compromise.