CVE-2025-54208 is a high-severity out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) affecting Adobe InDesign Desktop versions 20.4, 19.5.4, and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software improperly handles memory bounds, allowing an attacker to write data outside the intended buffer limits. Exploiting this flaw can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. The attack vector requires user interaction, specifically that the victim opens a maliciously crafted InDesign file. Once opened, the crafted file triggers the out-of-bounds write, potentially corrupting memory and enabling the attacker to execute code, escalate privileges, or cause denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects the vulnerability’s high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with the requirement for local access and user interaction. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating this is a recently disclosed vulnerability. Given Adobe InDesign’s widespread use in creative and publishing industries, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to environments where untrusted files may be received or shared.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-54208 can be substantial, especially for those in media, publishing, advertising, and design sectors that rely heavily on Adobe InDesign. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data theft, or disruption of critical workflows. Since the vulnerability executes code with the current user's privileges, it could be leveraged to move laterally within networks if the compromised user has elevated access. Confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive intellectual property or client data. Integrity impacts could corrupt design files or project data, causing operational delays and financial losses. Availability could be affected if the exploit causes application crashes or system instability. The user interaction requirement somewhat limits mass exploitation but targeted spear-phishing campaigns or malicious file sharing remain viable attack vectors. Additionally, organizations with lax endpoint security or insufficient user awareness training are at higher risk.

Organizations should prioritize the following mitigations: 1) Monitor Adobe’s official channels for patches and apply updates promptly once available. 2) Implement strict email and file-sharing security controls to detect and block malicious InDesign files, including sandboxing and content disarm and reconstruction (CDR) solutions. 3) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files, emphasizing verification of file sources. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify anomalous behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Restrict user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the impact of code execution under user context. 6) Consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement if a compromise occurs. 7) Maintain regular backups of critical design files to enable recovery from potential data corruption or ransomware scenarios. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on proactive detection, user training, and privilege management tailored to the Adobe InDesign environment.