CVE-2025-61817 is a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability identified in Adobe InCopy versions 20.5, 19.5.5, and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the application improperly manages memory, freeing an object while it is still in use, which can lead to arbitrary code execution. An attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting a malicious InCopy file that, when opened by a user, triggers the use-after-free condition. This allows the attacker to execute code within the context of the current user, potentially compromising the system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability requires user interaction—specifically, the victim must open the malicious file—and does not require any prior authentication, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity due to the combination of local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction needed. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant risk, especially in environments where Adobe InCopy is widely used for editorial and publishing tasks. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation through alternative controls. The vulnerability affects multiple versions, indicating a broad attack surface among users who have not updated to the latest software. Given Adobe InCopy's role in professional publishing workflows, exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data leakage, or disruption of publishing operations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-61817 can be substantial, particularly for those in the media, publishing, and creative industries where Adobe InCopy is commonly used. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive editorial content, manipulate documents, or deploy further malware within the network. This could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, operational disruption, and reputational damage. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users frequently exchange files. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as an initial foothold for lateral movement within corporate networks. European organizations with less mature endpoint protection or user training programs may be more vulnerable. Additionally, the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact means that critical publishing workflows could be disrupted, affecting business continuity and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR.

1. Apply official Adobe patches immediately once they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Until patches are released, restrict the opening of InCopy files from untrusted or unknown sources through email filtering and endpoint policies. 3. Implement application whitelisting and sandboxing to limit the execution of unauthorized code spawned by malicious files. 4. Enhance user awareness training focused on the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected files, emphasizing the specific threat posed by this vulnerability. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Use network segmentation to isolate systems running Adobe InCopy from critical infrastructure to limit lateral movement. 7. Regularly back up critical data and verify restoration procedures to mitigate potential data loss from exploitation. 8. Monitor threat intelligence feeds for emerging exploit techniques related to this CVE to adapt defenses proactively.