CVE-2025-54196 is classified as a URL Redirection to Untrusted Site vulnerability (CWE-601) found in Adobe Connect versions 12.9 and earlier. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of URLs used in redirection processes within the application. An attacker can exploit this by crafting a malicious URL that appears to originate from a legitimate Adobe Connect domain but redirects the user to a malicious external website. This can be leveraged in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks to trick users into visiting harmful sites that may host malware, credential harvesting pages, or other malicious content. Exploitation requires the victim to click on the crafted link, meaning user interaction is mandatory. The vulnerability does not allow direct unauthorized access or code execution within Adobe Connect, nor does it compromise the confidentiality or integrity of the application’s data. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.1, reflecting a low severity due to network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, required user interaction, and limited impact (no confidentiality, integrity, or availability loss). No patches are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. This vulnerability primarily poses a risk of redirecting users to malicious sites, facilitating phishing or other social engineering attacks rather than direct system compromise.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-54196 is an increased risk of successful phishing and social engineering attacks that leverage trusted Adobe Connect URLs to redirect users to malicious websites. This can lead to credential theft, malware infections, or other secondary compromises initiated via the redirected site. Organizations relying heavily on Adobe Connect for remote meetings, training, or collaboration may see their users targeted with crafted URLs appearing legitimate. While the vulnerability itself does not compromise Adobe Connect’s core functionality or data, the indirect consequences can include compromised user accounts, loss of sensitive information, and potential lateral movement within networks if attackers gain initial footholds. The requirement for user interaction reduces the likelihood of widespread automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks against high-value users or executives. The low CVSS score reflects limited direct impact on system security but does not diminish the importance of addressing the risk of social engineering facilitated by this vulnerability.

1. Educate users to be cautious of clicking on unexpected or suspicious links, even if they appear to originate from trusted Adobe Connect domains. 2. Implement email and web filtering solutions that detect and block known phishing URLs and suspicious redirects. 3. Monitor and log URL redirection patterns within Adobe Connect to detect anomalous or unauthorized redirect attempts. 4. Encourage the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the impact of credential theft resulting from phishing. 5. Apply vendor patches promptly once Adobe releases an official fix for this vulnerability. 6. Use URL rewriting or validation controls at the web application firewall (WAF) or proxy level to block or warn about redirects to untrusted domains. 7. Conduct phishing simulation exercises to raise awareness and test user response to malicious links. 8. Review and restrict the use of URL parameters that control redirection within Adobe Connect configurations where possible.