CVE-2025-54244 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) found in Adobe Substance3D - Viewer versions 0.25.1 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the application improperly handles memory allocation on the heap, allowing an attacker to overflow a buffer and overwrite adjacent memory. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. The attack vector requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a maliciously crafted file designed to trigger the overflow condition. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8, indicating high severity. The vector metrics are AV:L (Local), AC:L (Low complexity), PR:N (No privileges required), UI:R (User interaction required), S:U (Scope unchanged), with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been published yet. The vulnerability affects a niche product used primarily for 3D content viewing and rendering, which is often employed in creative industries such as design, gaming, and digital media production. Given the nature of the vulnerability, an attacker could craft a malicious 3D asset or file that, when opened by a user in the vulnerable viewer, could execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within a network.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the adoption of Adobe Substance3D - Viewer within their workflows. Creative agencies, digital media companies, and design studios that use this software are at risk of targeted attacks leveraging malicious files to compromise user systems. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive intellectual property, disruption of creative workflows, and potential spread of malware within corporate networks. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts mean that data exfiltration, system manipulation, or denial of service could occur. Additionally, since exploitation requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to deliver malicious files, increasing the risk to organizations with less mature security awareness programs. The absence of patches increases the window of exposure, and while no exploits are known in the wild yet, the high severity score suggests that attackers may develop exploits soon, especially targeting high-value creative sectors in Europe.

European organizations should implement several targeted mitigations beyond generic advice: 1) Restrict the use of Adobe Substance3D - Viewer to trusted users and environments, ideally isolating it from critical network segments. 2) Implement strict file handling policies, including disabling or restricting the opening of untrusted or unsolicited 3D asset files, especially those received via email or external sources. 3) Employ advanced endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of heap overflow exploitation or arbitrary code execution. 4) Conduct user awareness training focused on the risks of opening files from unknown or untrusted sources, emphasizing the specific threat posed by malicious 3D files. 5) Monitor network and endpoint logs for unusual activity related to the Substance3D - Viewer process or unexpected file executions. 6) Engage with Adobe and subscribe to their security advisories to receive timely updates and patches once available. 7) Consider temporary alternative software solutions for 3D viewing that are not vulnerable until a patch is released. 8) Use application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of code spawned by the vulnerable application.