CVE-2025-61816 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) identified in Adobe InCopy versions 20.5, 19.5.5, and earlier. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of heap memory when processing certain file inputs, allowing an attacker to overwrite memory buffers. This can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. Exploitation requires the victim to open a maliciously crafted file, making user interaction necessary. The vulnerability does not require any prior authentication or elevated privileges, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a high severity, with attack vector local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been published at the time of this report. Adobe InCopy is widely used in the publishing and media industries for editorial workflows, making this vulnerability particularly relevant to organizations in these sectors. The flaw could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or disruption of editorial processes.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-61816 could be significant, especially for those in publishing, media, and creative industries that rely heavily on Adobe InCopy. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, resulting in data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of critical editorial workflows. Since the vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, attackers could manipulate or destroy content, inject malicious code, or use compromised systems as footholds for further network intrusion. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but targeted spear-phishing campaigns or malicious file distribution could be effective. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation. However, the widespread use of Adobe products in Europe, combined with the high severity of this vulnerability, underscores the need for immediate attention to reduce potential operational and reputational damage.

Organizations should implement the following specific mitigation measures: 1) Monitor Adobe’s security advisories closely and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 2) Restrict the opening of InCopy files from untrusted or unknown sources by enforcing strict email filtering and endpoint security controls. 3) Employ application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized or suspicious files within the Adobe InCopy environment. 4) Educate users on the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected files, emphasizing cautious handling of attachments and links. 5) Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. 6) Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement if a system is compromised. 7) Regularly back up critical editorial data and verify backup integrity to enable recovery in case of data corruption or ransomware attacks. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector and affected software.