CVE-2025-54271 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop versions 6.7.0.278 and earlier. It is classified as a Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition (CWE-367), where the software improperly handles the timing between checking a resource's state and using that resource. Specifically, this flaw allows a low-privileged attacker with local access to exploit the timing window to perform arbitrary writes to the file system. Because the check and use operations are not atomic, an attacker can manipulate the file system state after the check but before the use, leading to unauthorized file modifications. This can compromise the integrity of files managed or accessed by the Creative Cloud Desktop application. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, increasing the risk if an attacker gains local access. However, the attack complexity is high, and remote exploitation is not feasible since local access is mandatory. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and Adobe has not yet released a patch. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.6 (medium), reflecting the limited attack vector (local), high attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and impact limited to integrity without affecting confidentiality or availability. The vulnerability's scope is considered changed (S:C) because the integrity impact affects resources beyond the vulnerable component itself.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the integrity of files managed by Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop. Unauthorized file modifications could disrupt creative workflows, corrupt project files, or introduce malicious code into shared assets, potentially leading to broader security incidents or operational disruptions. Organizations relying heavily on Adobe Creative Cloud for content creation, design, or digital media production may experience workflow interruptions or data integrity issues. Since exploitation requires local access and high attack complexity, the threat is more significant in environments where endpoint security is weak or where attackers can gain physical or remote desktop access to user machines. The lack of confidentiality or availability impact limits the scope of damage, but integrity violations in creative assets can have reputational and financial consequences. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a multi-stage attack chain to escalate privileges or deploy further malware.

1. Monitor Adobe's official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-54271 and apply updates promptly once available. 2. Restrict local access to systems running Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop, enforcing strict user permissions and limiting administrative rights to reduce the risk of exploitation. 3. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous file system activities indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Enforce strict file system permissions on directories used by Creative Cloud Desktop to minimize the ability of low-privileged users to modify critical files. 5. Conduct regular audits of file integrity for key project directories to detect unauthorized changes early. 6. Educate users about the importance of securing their workstations and avoiding the execution of untrusted code or scripts that could facilitate local exploitation. 7. Consider network segmentation and endpoint isolation for high-value creative workstations to limit lateral movement in case of compromise.