CVE-2025-54256: Adobe Dreamweaver CSRF Vulnerability

CVE-2025-54256 Overview

CVE-2025-54256 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting Adobe Dreamweaver Desktop versions 21.5 and earlier. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user when a victim clicks a malicious link. Adobe published the advisory APSB25-91 addressing this issue. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-352] and carries a scope change, which elevates its impact beyond the vulnerable component. Both Windows and macOS installations of Dreamweaver are affected.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution under the current user's privileges, requiring only a single click on an attacker-controlled link.

Affected Products

Adobe Dreamweaver Desktop versions 21.5 and earlier
Microsoft Windows installations of Dreamweaver
Apple macOS installations of Dreamweaver

Discovery Timeline

2025-09-09 - CVE-2025-54256 published to NVD
2025-09-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-54256

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue [CWE-352] within Adobe Dreamweaver Desktop. CSRF flaws occur when an application accepts state-changing requests without verifying the origin or intent of the requester. In Dreamweaver, the issue allows a crafted link to trigger actions that lead to arbitrary code execution. The execution occurs in the security context of the user running Dreamweaver. Because the CVSS vector indicates a scope change, the impact extends beyond the originally vulnerable component.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence or inadequacy of anti-CSRF protections on sensitive Dreamweaver operations. Without origin validation, request tokens, or user confirmation prompts, the application processes attacker-induced requests as legitimate user actions. This design weakness lets a malicious web resource invoke functionality that ultimately leads to code execution on the host.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires user interaction. The victim must click a malicious link delivered through phishing, a watering hole, or a malicious document. Once activated, the crafted request reaches Dreamweaver and triggers operations that result in arbitrary code execution. Because Dreamweaver runs locally, the attacker leverages the local attack vector while staging the lure remotely. The resulting payload runs with the privileges of the current user, enabling persistence, credential theft, or lateral movement.

No public proof-of-concept code or exploit has been published. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-91 for vendor technical details.

// No verified exploitation code is publicly available for CVE-2025-54256.
// See Adobe APSB25-91 for vendor-supplied technical guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54256

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by Dreamweaver.exe on Windows or the Dreamweaver application bundle on macOS
Outbound network connections from Dreamweaver to untrusted domains immediately after a user clicks an external link
Creation of unfamiliar scripts, executables, or scheduled tasks in user-writable directories shortly after Dreamweaver activity

Detection Strategies

Monitor process lineage for Dreamweaver spawning interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, bash, or osascript
Inspect web proxy logs for users browsing to suspicious URLs while Dreamweaver is the foreground application
Correlate endpoint telemetry of file writes and registry or LaunchAgent modifications with active Dreamweaver sessions

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable command-line and process-creation auditing on workstations where Dreamweaver is installed
Apply application allowlisting rules that restrict Dreamweaver from launching scripting engines or unsigned binaries
Alert on Dreamweaver handling protocol handlers or URI schemes from external browsers

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54256

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe Dreamweaver Desktop to the version released in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-91
Inventory all endpoints running Dreamweaver 21.5 or earlier and prioritize patching
Inform Dreamweaver users about the CSRF risk and reinforce safe link-handling practices

Patch Information

Adobe addressed CVE-2025-54256 in the security update documented in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-91. Administrators should deploy the updated Dreamweaver release across all Windows and macOS endpoints. Verify successful installation by confirming the post-patch version in the application's About dialog.

Workarounds

Restrict Dreamweaver usage to trusted networks and avoid clicking links from untrusted sources while the application is running
Run Dreamweaver under a least-privileged user account to limit the impact of arbitrary code execution
Configure endpoint protection policies to block Dreamweaver from launching scripting or shell processes

bash

# Verify installed Dreamweaver version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Dreamweaver 2021/Adobe Dreamweaver 2021.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString

# Verify installed Dreamweaver version on Windows (PowerShell)
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
  Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "Adobe Dreamweaver*" } |
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion