CVE-2025-43545 Overview
CVE-2025-43545 is an Access of Uninitialized Pointer vulnerability [CWE-824] affecting Adobe Bridge versions 15.0.3, 14.1.6, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a malicious file. Exploitation requires user interaction, limiting the attack surface to social engineering scenarios. Adobe published security advisory APSB25-44 to address the issue across Windows and macOS installations.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user, enabling attackers to install programs, modify data, or create accounts.
Affected Products
- Adobe Bridge 15.0.3 and earlier 15.x versions
- Adobe Bridge 14.1.6 and earlier 14.x versions
- Adobe Bridge on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-13 - CVE CVE-2025-43545 published to NVD
- 2025-05-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-43545
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified as an Access of Uninitialized Pointer issue under [CWE-824]. Adobe Bridge fails to properly initialize a pointer before dereferencing it during file parsing. When the application accesses memory referenced by this uninitialized pointer, the resulting behavior depends on whatever residual data occupies that memory region. An attacker who controls the surrounding memory layout can steer execution to attacker-supplied data.
The attack requires local access and user interaction. The victim must open a crafted file using a vulnerable Bridge installation. Exploitation yields code execution at the privilege level of the current user, which on workstations typically includes access to user documents, credentials cached in browsers, and lateral movement primitives.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper initialization of a pointer variable along a code path that processes untrusted file content. When Bridge parses the malicious file format, the uninitialized pointer is read and dereferenced. This violates the assumption that pointer storage holds a valid object reference before use. Adobe has not published the specific file format or parser routine responsible.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local with required user interaction. An attacker delivers a crafted file via email attachment, malicious download, or removable media. The victim opens the file in Adobe Bridge, triggering the parser code path that dereferences the uninitialized pointer. The process state at the time of dereference determines whether code execution succeeds. No authentication or elevated privileges are required by the attacker.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43545
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by Bridge.exe or the macOS Bridge process, particularly command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or /bin/sh
- Crashes or abnormal termination of Adobe Bridge after opening files received from external sources
- Suspicious file writes to user profile directories immediately following Bridge file open events
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process creation telemetry for Adobe Bridge spawning scripting engines or LOLBins
- Inspect Bridge crash dumps and Windows Event Log entries (Application Error, event ID 1000) referencing the Bridge executable
- Apply behavioral analytics to flag document opens followed by network connections or persistence mechanism creation
Monitoring Recommendations
- Collect endpoint process, file, and network telemetry from systems running Adobe Bridge
- Alert on Bridge processes loading unsigned modules or modules from user-writable paths
- Correlate email gateway and web proxy logs with endpoint file-open events for files sent to Bridge users
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43545
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Bridge to version 15.0.4 or 14.1.7 or later as specified in Adobe security bulletin APSB25-44
- Inventory all endpoints running Adobe Bridge to confirm patch coverage across Windows and macOS
- Instruct users to avoid opening Bridge-compatible files from untrusted sources until patching is complete
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed versions through the Creative Cloud desktop application. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-44 for the exact patched build numbers and download instructions. Apply the update through Creative Cloud or by downloading the installer from Adobe directly.
Workarounds
- Restrict file associations so that untrusted file types do not open in Adobe Bridge by default
- Use application allowlisting to prevent Bridge from launching child processes such as shells or scripting hosts
- Apply attack surface reduction rules that block Office and creative applications from creating executable content
# Verify installed Adobe Bridge version on Windows
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Bridge" /s /v Version
# Verify installed Adobe Bridge version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Bridge 2025/Adobe Bridge 2025.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
