CVE-2025-54268: Adobe Bridge Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2025-54268 Overview

CVE-2025-54268 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability [CWE-122] in Adobe Bridge versions 14.1.8, 15.1.1, and earlier. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The flaw requires user interaction: a victim must open a malicious file crafted by the attacker.

Adobe published advisory APSB25-96 addressing this issue. The vulnerability affects Adobe Bridge on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS platforms. While exploitation requires local file access, the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high once the malicious file is opened.

Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary code under the privileges of the current user when a victim opens a malicious file in Adobe Bridge.

Affected Products

Adobe Bridge versions 14.1.8 and earlier (14.x branch)
Adobe Bridge versions 15.1.1 and earlier (15.x branch)
Adobe Bridge running on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS

Discovery Timeline

2025-10-15 - CVE-2025-54268 published to NVD
2025-10-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-54268

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow [CWE-122]. Adobe Bridge allocates a buffer on the heap when parsing certain file formats. Malformed input data causes the application to write beyond the allocated buffer boundary. This out-of-bounds write corrupts adjacent heap structures and program control data.

Attackers who control the overflow contents can overwrite function pointers, virtual table pointers, or heap metadata. This corruption enables hijacking of program execution flow. The resulting code execution runs with the privileges of the user who launched Adobe Bridge.

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. Attackers typically deliver malicious files through phishing emails, malicious websites, or shared storage. The EPSS score is 0.031%, indicating low observed exploitation activity at the time of publication.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of input data sizes during file parsing. Adobe Bridge does not enforce bounds checks before copying parsed data into heap-allocated buffers. Crafted files containing oversized or malformed fields trigger the overflow condition.

Attack Vector

An attacker crafts a malicious file in a format that Adobe Bridge processes. The attacker delivers the file to the victim through email, web download, or removable media. When the victim opens the file in Adobe Bridge, the parser triggers the heap overflow and executes attacker-supplied shellcode.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is currently available. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-96 for vendor-supplied technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54268

Indicators of Compromise

Adobe Bridge processes (Bridge.exe on Windows, Adobe Bridge on macOS) spawning unexpected child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or shell interpreters
Crash events or Windows Error Reporting entries referencing heap corruption in Adobe Bridge modules
Unexpected outbound network connections initiated by the Adobe Bridge process shortly after opening a file
File-system writes to user-writable persistence locations originating from the Adobe Bridge process

Detection Strategies

Monitor for child process creation from Bridge.exe that deviates from normal application behavior
Inspect file metadata of opened assets for inconsistencies between declared and actual structure sizes
Correlate Adobe Bridge crash telemetry with subsequent suspicious process or network activity on the host
Apply behavioral analytics to flag memory corruption patterns followed by code execution attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable endpoint logging for process creation, image loads, and network connections originating from Adobe Bridge
Track Adobe Bridge version inventory across the environment to identify hosts running vulnerable builds
Alert on opens of file types associated with Adobe Bridge that originate from email attachments or untrusted internet sources

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54268

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe Bridge to a fixed version released in APSB25-96 on all Windows and macOS endpoints
Inventory all systems running Adobe Bridge 14.1.8, 15.1.1, or earlier and prioritize remediation
Instruct users to avoid opening Adobe Bridge files received from untrusted sources until patches are deployed

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed versions of Bridge as documented in security bulletin APSB25-96. Administrators should apply the vendor updates through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-96 for the full list of fixed versions.

Workarounds

Restrict Adobe Bridge usage to vetted file sources until patching is complete
Block delivery of Adobe Bridge-associated file types from external email at the secure email gateway
Apply application allowlisting to prevent Adobe Bridge from spawning command interpreters or scripting hosts
Enable operating system exploit mitigations such as Control Flow Guard on Windows and Hardened Runtime on macOS

bash

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

# Verify installed Adobe Bridge version on macOS
mdls -name kMDItemVersion "/Applications/Adobe Bridge 2025/Adobe Bridge 2025.app"