CVE-2025-49549 is an Incorrect Authorization vulnerability (CWE-863) affecting multiple versions of Adobe Commerce, specifically versions 2.4.4-p13 through 2.4.8 and earlier. This vulnerability allows a high-privileged attacker to bypass certain security features, resulting in limited unauthorized access. The flaw stems from improper enforcement of authorization checks within the application, enabling an attacker with elevated privileges to circumvent intended access controls. Notably, exploitation does not require any user interaction, and the attack vector is network-based, meaning the attacker can exploit the vulnerability remotely. However, the attacker must already possess high-level privileges within the system, which limits the initial attack surface. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality to a limited extent, as it allows unauthorized access to some data or functionality, but does not affect integrity or availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 2.7, reflecting a low severity rating due to the requirement for high privileges and the limited scope of impact. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no patches or mitigations have been explicitly linked in the provided information. Given Adobe Commerce's role as an e-commerce platform, this vulnerability could potentially be leveraged to access restricted administrative functions or sensitive business data if an attacker already has elevated access, increasing the risk of insider threats or privilege escalation chains.

For European organizations using Adobe Commerce, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily in environments where internal access controls are weak or where high-privileged accounts may be compromised or misused. The limited unauthorized access could expose sensitive business data or allow attackers to bypass security controls designed to protect critical e-commerce operations. While the direct impact on confidentiality is low, the vulnerability could be a stepping stone in more complex attack scenarios, especially in organizations with large-scale online retail operations. Given the widespread adoption of Adobe Commerce among European retailers and enterprises, exploitation could lead to reputational damage, regulatory scrutiny under GDPR if personal data is indirectly exposed, and potential financial losses. The lack of requirement for user interaction increases the risk of automated exploitation once an attacker gains high-level access. However, since exploitation requires high privileges, the vulnerability is less likely to be exploited by external attackers without prior compromise. The impact is therefore more significant in insider threat scenarios or where credential theft has already occurred.

European organizations should implement strict access control policies to limit the number of high-privileged accounts and enforce the principle of least privilege. Regular audits of administrative accounts and their activities can help detect misuse or unauthorized access attempts. Employing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all high-privileged users reduces the risk of credential compromise. Network segmentation and monitoring of administrative interfaces can limit exposure to potential attackers. Organizations should proactively monitor Adobe Commerce security advisories for patches addressing this vulnerability and apply updates promptly once available. Additionally, implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect anomalous access patterns related to administrative functions can provide an additional layer of defense. Logging and alerting on unusual privilege escalation attempts or access bypass behaviors within Adobe Commerce should be enabled to facilitate early detection. Finally, conducting internal penetration testing focused on authorization controls can help identify similar weaknesses before they are exploited.