CVE-2025-54224 is a high-severity Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability affecting Adobe InDesign Desktop versions 20.4, 19.5.4, and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the application improperly manages memory, specifically freeing memory that is still in use, which can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, as the victim must open a maliciously crafted InDesign file. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required. The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to full compromise of the affected user's environment. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability and the widespread use of Adobe InDesign in creative and publishing industries make it a significant threat. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation and monitoring.

For European organizations, especially those in media, publishing, advertising, and design sectors that heavily rely on Adobe InDesign Desktop, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data theft, or disruption of business operations. Since the attack requires user interaction, social engineering or phishing campaigns targeting employees are likely vectors. Compromise could extend beyond the individual workstation to the broader corporate network if lateral movement is achieved. Confidential client data, intellectual property, and sensitive project files could be exposed or manipulated, leading to reputational damage and regulatory consequences under GDPR. The high integrity and availability impact could disrupt critical workflows, causing operational delays and financial losses.

Given the absence of official patches, European organizations should implement a multi-layered defense strategy. First, enforce strict email and file attachment filtering to reduce the risk of malicious InDesign files reaching end users. Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected files, emphasizing caution with InDesign documents from unknown sources. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the execution environment of InDesign, reducing potential damage from exploitation. Monitor endpoint behavior for anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unusual memory usage or process spawning. Maintain up-to-date backups of critical design files and systems to enable recovery in case of compromise. Coordinate with Adobe for timely patch deployment once available and consider temporary restrictions on InDesign usage in high-risk environments until remediation is applied.