CVE-2025-64085 is a vulnerability identified in the importDataObject() function of PDF-XChange Editor version 10.7.3.401. The flaw is a NULL pointer dereference, which occurs when the application attempts to access or manipulate a memory location that has not been properly initialized or is set to NULL. This leads to a crash or abnormal termination of the application, resulting in a Denial of Service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is triggered by processing a crafted input file, likely a malformed PDF or embedded object, which causes the function to dereference a NULL pointer. Since the vulnerability resides in a widely used PDF editing and viewing tool, exploitation requires the victim to open or import the malicious file using the vulnerable version of PDF-XChange Editor. There is no indication that authentication is required, nor that user interaction beyond opening the file is needed. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no patches or known exploits have been reported at the time of publication. The vulnerability primarily impacts the availability of the application, potentially disrupting workflows that depend on PDF-XChange Editor for document handling. The absence of a patch means organizations must rely on interim mitigations such as input validation, restricting untrusted files, and monitoring application behavior. The vulnerability was reserved in late October 2025 and published in early December 2025, indicating recent discovery. Given the nature of the flaw, it does not appear to allow code execution or data leakage, focusing its impact on service disruption.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-64085 is operational disruption due to application crashes when processing malicious PDF files. Organizations in sectors such as legal, finance, government, and publishing that rely heavily on PDF-XChange Editor for document management could experience workflow interruptions, potentially delaying critical business processes. While the vulnerability does not appear to compromise confidentiality or integrity, the denial of service could lead to productivity losses and increased support costs. In environments where PDF-XChange Editor is integrated into automated document processing pipelines, the vulnerability could cause cascading failures or require manual intervention. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the availability of a crafted input vector means attackers could weaponize this flaw in targeted attacks or phishing campaigns. European organizations with strict uptime and availability requirements may find this vulnerability particularly impactful. Additionally, organizations with limited patch management capabilities or those using legacy versions of PDF-XChange Editor are at higher risk. The absence of a patch also means that mitigation relies heavily on operational controls and user awareness.

1. Restrict the opening or importing of PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources to reduce exposure to crafted malicious inputs. 2. Implement application whitelisting and sandboxing for PDF-XChange Editor to contain potential crashes and prevent broader system impact. 3. Monitor application logs and system stability for signs of crashes or abnormal termination that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Educate users about the risks of opening suspicious PDF files and encourage verification of file sources before processing. 5. Temporarily consider alternative PDF viewers or editors that are not affected by this vulnerability for critical workflows until a patch is released. 6. Maintain up-to-date backups of critical documents and configurations to enable rapid recovery from disruptions. 7. Engage with the software vendor for timely updates and patches, and apply them as soon as they become available. 8. Use network-level protections such as email filtering and endpoint security solutions to detect and block malicious PDF files before they reach end users. 9. For automated document processing systems, implement input validation and error handling to gracefully manage unexpected file inputs. 10. Review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving denial of service caused by application vulnerabilities.