CVE-2025-64899 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability classified under CWE-125 affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 24.001.30264, 20.005.30793, 25.001.20982, 24.001.30273, 20.005.30803, and earlier. The vulnerability arises during the parsing of a maliciously crafted PDF file, where the software reads beyond the allocated memory buffer, potentially exposing sensitive data or enabling memory corruption. This memory corruption can be leveraged by an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user, thereby compromising system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically opening a malicious PDF document, which is a common attack vector given the widespread use of PDFs in business communications. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 indicates a high-severity issue with local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The vulnerability scope is unchanged (S:U), but it impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a high degree (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits have been reported yet, but the presence of such a vulnerability in a widely used application like Acrobat Reader makes it a valuable target for attackers. The lack of patch links suggests that fixes may be forthcoming or pending deployment. The vulnerability is significant because Acrobat Reader is ubiquitous in enterprise environments, and successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise or lateral movement within networks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk due to the widespread use of Adobe Acrobat Reader across public and private sectors. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, disruption of business operations, and potential deployment of further malware or ransomware. Organizations handling sensitive personal data under GDPR face increased compliance risks if this vulnerability is exploited. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to deliver malicious PDFs, increasing the attack surface. Critical infrastructure sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies in Europe could be targeted to cause operational disruptions or data breaches. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability underscores the potential for severe damage, including data theft, system compromise, and loss of trust. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits rapidly once the vulnerability details are public.

European organizations should proactively prepare to mitigate this vulnerability by implementing the following measures: 1) Monitor Adobe’s official channels closely and apply security patches immediately upon release to affected Acrobat Reader versions. 2) Employ application whitelisting and restrict the execution of unauthorized or outdated software versions. 3) Use advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify suspicious behavior related to PDF processing. 4) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected PDF attachments, emphasizing caution with emails from unknown or untrusted sources. 5) Implement network-level protections such as sandboxing PDF files before delivery to end users to detect malicious content. 6) Restrict or disable JavaScript execution within PDFs where feasible, as this can reduce exploitation vectors. 7) Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focusing on document handling workflows. 8) Enforce strict access controls and least privilege principles to limit the impact of potential code execution. 9) Maintain robust backup and incident response plans to recover quickly from any compromise. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector and software involved.