CVE-2025-49571 is a high-severity vulnerability classified as an Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CWE-427) affecting Adobe Substance3D - Modeler versions 1.22.0 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the application uses an insecure or improperly validated search path to locate critical resources such as executable programs or libraries. An attacker can exploit this by inserting a malicious program into a location that appears earlier in the search path, causing the application to execute the attacker's code instead of the legitimate resource. This leads to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. Notably, exploitation does not require user interaction, increasing the risk of automated or remote exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required, but user interaction is required. Since the vulnerability affects a creative software tool used for 3D modeling and content creation, successful exploitation could allow attackers to compromise intellectual property, manipulate design files, or establish persistence on the victim system. The lack of available patches at the time of publication means that affected users must rely on mitigation strategies until Adobe releases an update.

For European organizations, especially those in industries such as media, entertainment, gaming, architecture, and manufacturing that rely on Adobe Substance3D - Modeler for 3D content creation, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Compromise could lead to theft or manipulation of sensitive design data, intellectual property loss, and potential disruption of creative workflows. Since the vulnerability allows arbitrary code execution without user interaction, attackers could deploy malware, ransomware, or establish backdoors, threatening operational continuity and data confidentiality. Additionally, compromised systems could be leveraged as footholds for lateral movement within corporate networks, increasing the risk of broader enterprise compromise. The impact is heightened in organizations with limited endpoint security controls or where users have elevated privileges. Furthermore, the creative sector in Europe is a strategic economic area, so attacks could have broader economic implications.

Given the absence of an official patch, European organizations should implement several targeted mitigations: 1) Restrict write permissions on directories included in the search path to prevent unauthorized insertion of malicious executables. 2) Employ application whitelisting to ensure only trusted binaries are executed by Substance3D - Modeler. 3) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for anomalous process executions or modifications to search path directories. 4) Run Substance3D - Modeler with the least privileges necessary to limit the impact of potential code execution. 5) Educate users about the risks and encourage reporting of unusual application behavior. 6) Network segmentation can limit the spread if compromise occurs. 7) Monitor vendor communications closely and plan for rapid deployment of patches once available. 8) Consider temporary use of virtualized or sandboxed environments for running the application to contain potential exploits.