CVE-2025-47099 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) identified in Adobe InCopy versions 20.3, 19.5.3, and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the application improperly handles memory allocation for certain inputs, allowing an attacker to overflow a heap buffer. Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. The attack vector requires user interaction, specifically the opening of a maliciously crafted InCopy file, which triggers the overflow. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8, indicating high severity, with attack vector classified as local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as arbitrary code execution could lead to full compromise of the user's environment. Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in late April 2025 and published in July 2025, suggesting it is a recent discovery. Given Adobe InCopy's role as a professional word processing and editorial tool used primarily in publishing workflows, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to users who handle untrusted or externally sourced InCopy files.

For European organizations, especially those in media, publishing, advertising, and content creation sectors, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, enabling attackers to steal sensitive editorial content, intellectual property, or credentials, and potentially pivot within corporate networks. Since Adobe InCopy is often used in collaborative environments, a compromised user could serve as an entry point for broader network intrusion. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but targeted spear-phishing campaigns with malicious InCopy documents could be effective. Confidentiality breaches could expose unpublished content or strategic communications, while integrity compromises might alter published materials, damaging reputations. Availability impacts could disrupt editorial workflows. The high CVSS score reflects the severity of these potential outcomes. Organizations relying heavily on Adobe InCopy should consider this vulnerability a critical security concern.

1. Immediate mitigation should include educating users about the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected InCopy files, especially from unknown sources. 2. Implement strict email filtering and attachment scanning to detect and block potentially malicious InCopy documents. 3. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the execution context of Adobe InCopy, reducing the impact of potential exploitation. 4. Monitor for unusual process behavior or memory usage patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Maintain up-to-date endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting heap overflow exploitation techniques. 6. Since no patches are currently linked, organizations should closely monitor Adobe's official channels for security updates and apply patches promptly once available. 7. Consider restricting Adobe InCopy usage to trusted internal files and disable macros or scripting features if applicable. 8. Conduct regular security awareness training emphasizing the dangers of social engineering and malicious document files.