CVE-2025-47103 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) affecting Adobe InDesign Desktop versions 19.5.3 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the application improperly handles memory allocation on the heap, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions. The flaw can be triggered when a user opens a specially crafted malicious file within InDesign Desktop. Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious payloads, manipulate files, or escalate privileges if combined with other vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires user interaction, specifically opening a malicious file, which means social engineering or phishing tactics are likely prerequisites for exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The vector metrics specify that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, suggesting that Adobe may still be developing or distributing fixes. The vulnerability's root cause is a classic heap overflow, which is a common and dangerous memory corruption issue that can lead to system compromise if exploited successfully.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those heavily reliant on Adobe InDesign Desktop for publishing, marketing, and creative workflows. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data theft, or disruption of business operations. Confidential information such as unpublished content, client data, or intellectual property could be exposed or altered. The high impact on availability means that critical design and publishing workflows could be disrupted, affecting deadlines and business continuity. Since exploitation requires user interaction, targeted phishing or spear-phishing campaigns could be used to trick employees into opening malicious files, increasing the risk in organizations with less mature security awareness programs. Additionally, the lack of a patch at the time of disclosure means organizations must rely on interim mitigations, increasing exposure. The threat is particularly relevant for sectors such as media, advertising, publishing houses, and any enterprise with creative departments using InDesign. Given the high confidentiality and integrity impact, regulatory compliance risks (e.g., GDPR) may also arise if sensitive personal data is compromised.

European organizations should implement several specific mitigations beyond generic advice: 1) Immediately audit and inventory all Adobe InDesign Desktop installations to identify affected versions (19.5.3 and earlier). 2) Until a patch is available, restrict the opening of InDesign files from untrusted or unknown sources, employing strict email filtering and attachment scanning to reduce the risk of malicious files reaching users. 3) Enhance user awareness training focused on recognizing phishing attempts and the dangers of opening unsolicited or suspicious files, particularly those related to creative workflows. 4) Employ application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques for InDesign Desktop to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 5) Monitor endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools for anomalous behavior indicative of heap overflow exploitation or arbitrary code execution in InDesign processes. 6) Coordinate with Adobe for timely patch deployment once available and test patches in controlled environments before wide rollout. 7) Consider network segmentation to isolate creative workstations from sensitive data repositories to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 8) Implement strict privilege management to ensure users run InDesign with the least privileges necessary, minimizing the impact of code execution under user context.