CVE-2025-64086 is a vulnerability identified in the util.readFileIntoStream component of PDF-XChange Editor version 10.7.3.401. The issue is a NULL pointer dereference, which occurs when the software 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 can be triggered by an attacker crafting a malicious PDF or input file that exploits this flaw when loaded or processed by the vulnerable component. Since the flaw is in a file reading utility, exploitation does not require elevated privileges or authentication, nor does it require complex user interaction beyond opening or previewing the malicious file. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk to availability, potentially disrupting business operations that depend on PDF-XChange Editor. The lack of a CVSS score and absence of patches indicate this is a newly disclosed issue, and organizations should be vigilant. The vulnerability is limited to a specific version of the software, so identifying and inventorying affected systems is critical. The technical root cause is a NULL pointer dereference, a common programming error that can be mitigated by improved input validation and error handling. The threat landscape for this vulnerability is moderate, given the ease of triggering a DoS but absence of code execution or data compromise capabilities.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-64086 is on availability. A successful exploit can cause PDF-XChange Editor to crash or become unresponsive, disrupting workflows that rely on PDF document processing. This can affect sectors such as finance, legal, government, and healthcare, where PDF documents are frequently used for contracts, reports, and official communications. The DoS condition could lead to productivity losses, delayed processing, and potential operational disruptions. While confidentiality and integrity are not directly impacted, the inability to access or process documents could indirectly affect business continuity. Organizations using automated PDF processing pipelines or document management systems integrating PDF-XChange Editor components may experience cascading failures. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability’s presence in a widely used PDF editor means targeted attacks could emerge. European entities with strict regulatory requirements for uptime and service availability may face compliance challenges if disruptions occur. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of multi-stage attacks aiming to distract or degrade defenses through DoS.

1. Inventory all instances of PDF-XChange Editor within the organization to identify those running version 10.7.3.401. 2. Restrict or monitor the receipt and opening of PDF files from untrusted or external sources, especially in email and web environments. 3. Employ application sandboxing or containerization to isolate PDF-XChange Editor processes, limiting the impact of crashes. 4. Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized or outdated versions of PDF-XChange Editor from running. 5. Monitor application logs and system stability for signs of crashes or abnormal behavior related to PDF processing. 6. Engage with the software vendor to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available. 7. Educate users about the risks of opening suspicious PDF files and encourage reporting of anomalies. 8. Consider deploying network-level protections such as email filtering and web proxy scanning to detect and block malicious PDFs. 9. For automated workflows, introduce validation steps to detect malformed or suspicious PDF inputs before processing. 10. Maintain regular backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential DoS incidents.