CVE-2025-54228 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) affecting Adobe InDesign Desktop versions 20.4, 19.5.4, and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software improperly handles memory boundaries, allowing an attacker to read sensitive memory contents beyond the intended buffer limits. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically that the victim opens a maliciously crafted InDesign file. Successful exploitation can lead to disclosure of sensitive information from the application's memory space, potentially exposing confidential data. The vulnerability does not allow modification of data or denial of service but poses a confidentiality risk. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The impact is limited to confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was published on August 12, 2025, and reserved on July 17, 2025.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-54228 is the potential leakage of sensitive information through Adobe InDesign Desktop. Organizations in sectors such as publishing, advertising, media, and design that heavily rely on InDesign for document creation and layout are at higher risk. Disclosure of sensitive memory contents could include confidential project data, intellectual property, or personally identifiable information embedded in memory during document processing. While the vulnerability does not allow code execution or system compromise, the confidentiality breach could lead to reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR concerns if personal data is exposed), and competitive disadvantage. The requirement for user interaction (opening a malicious file) means that targeted phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to exploit this vulnerability. European organizations with remote or hybrid workforces may be particularly vulnerable if users open untrusted files outside controlled environments.

Given the absence of a patch at the time of this report, European organizations should implement several practical mitigations: 1) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious InDesign files, emphasizing caution with email attachments and downloads. 2) Employ email filtering and sandboxing solutions to detect and block malicious InDesign files before reaching end users. 3) Restrict the use of InDesign Desktop to trusted users and environments, and consider disabling or limiting file opening capabilities where feasible. 4) Monitor network and endpoint activity for unusual file access or memory disclosure indicators related to InDesign processes. 5) Once Adobe releases a patch, prioritize immediate deployment across all affected systems. 6) Use application whitelisting and endpoint protection tools to reduce the risk of malicious file execution. 7) Maintain regular backups and ensure incident response plans include scenarios involving document-based attacks. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on user behavior, file handling policies, and proactive detection tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.