CVE-2025-54241 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) affecting Adobe After Effects versions 25.3, 24.6.7, and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software improperly handles memory boundaries during processing of certain files, allowing an attacker to cause the application to read memory outside the intended buffer limits. The consequence of this out-of-bounds read is potential exposure of sensitive information residing in adjacent memory areas, which could include confidential data or cryptographic material. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a crafted malicious file within After Effects. The vulnerability does not allow code execution or modification of data but compromises confidentiality by leaking information. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), 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 observed in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability is significant for environments where sensitive media projects or proprietary data are handled within After Effects, as attackers could leverage crafted files to extract information from memory.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-54241 lies in potential leakage of sensitive or proprietary information processed within Adobe After Effects. Creative industries, media production companies, advertising agencies, and any enterprises relying on After Effects for video and animation production could face confidentiality risks. Exposure of intellectual property, client data, or internal project details could lead to competitive disadvantages or regulatory compliance issues, especially under GDPR where data protection is stringent. Although the vulnerability does not allow code execution or system compromise, the confidentiality breach could be exploited in targeted attacks or espionage campaigns. The requirement for user interaction (opening a malicious file) means phishing or social engineering could be used to deliver the payload, increasing risk in organizations with less mature security awareness. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and potential for sensitive data exposure warrant proactive mitigation.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Restrict the opening of After Effects project files from untrusted or unknown sources to reduce risk of malicious file execution. 2) Educate users, especially creative teams, on the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files and enforce strict email/file sharing policies. 3) Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting anomalous file behaviors or memory access patterns related to After Effects. 4) Monitor network and system logs for unusual activity following file openings in After Effects. 5) Maintain strict access controls and segmentation for systems running After Effects to limit lateral movement in case of exploitation. 6) Coordinate with Adobe for timely patch deployment once available, and consider temporary use of alternative software or sandboxing After Effects processes to contain potential leaks. 7) Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) controls to detect and prevent unauthorized exfiltration of sensitive data that could result from this vulnerability.