CVE-2025-54278: Adobe Bridge Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2025-54278 Overview

CVE-2025-54278 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Adobe Bridge versions 14.1.8, 15.1.1, and earlier. The flaw allows an attacker to read sensitive data stored in process memory when a victim opens a crafted file. Adobe published this issue on October 15, 2025, in Security Advisory APSB25-96. The vulnerability affects installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. Exploitation requires user interaction because the victim must open the malicious file in Adobe Bridge.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation discloses sensitive memory contents from the Adobe Bridge process, which can include data useful for bypassing exploit mitigations or chaining with additional vulnerabilities.

Affected Products

Adobe Bridge 14.1.8 and earlier 14.x versions
Adobe Bridge 15.1.1 and earlier 15.x versions
Adobe Bridge installations on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS

Discovery Timeline

2025-10-15 - CVE-2025-54278 published to NVD
2025-10-15 - Adobe releases Security Advisory APSB25-96
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-54278

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow classified under [CWE-122]. Adobe Bridge parses several image, metadata, and document file formats. When processing a malformed file, the application writes or reads outside the bounds of an allocated heap buffer. In this specific case, the out-of-bounds condition exposes adjacent heap memory to the attacker.

Adobe categorizes the resulting impact as memory disclosure rather than code execution. The confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability remain unaffected. An attacker leveraging this flaw can extract data such as heap metadata, pointer values, or residual buffer contents from the Bridge process.

The flaw requires local attack vector and user interaction. The attacker cannot trigger the condition remotely without first delivering the malicious file to the victim through phishing, a shared drive, or a download link.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of size or length values during file parsing. Adobe Bridge allocates a heap buffer based on a header field or computed size, then processes data beyond that boundary. The specific parser and file format have not been published in the Adobe advisory.

Attack Vector

An attacker crafts a malicious file in a format that Adobe Bridge processes. The attacker delivers the file through email, a messaging platform, or a web download. The victim opens the file in Adobe Bridge, which triggers the vulnerable parsing routine. The process then reads or writes beyond the allocated heap buffer, exposing memory contents.

The vulnerability does not grant code execution on its own. Attackers typically chain memory disclosure flaws with separate memory corruption bugs to defeat Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR). See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-96 for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54278

Indicators of Compromise

Adobe Bridge process crashes or unexpected termination shortly after opening a file from an untrusted source
Unusual file formats delivered through phishing campaigns that reference Adobe Bridge or creative workflows
Bridge opening files from temporary directories, email attachment folders, or browser download paths

Detection Strategies

Monitor Adobe Bridge.exe and the macOS equivalent for abnormal child process creation or memory access patterns following file open events
Deploy endpoint detection rules that correlate Adobe Bridge file open events with process crashes, exception events, or Windows Error Reporting entries
Inspect email and web gateways for attachments targeting Adobe Bridge users with uncommon file extensions

Monitoring Recommendations

Collect process execution and file access telemetry from endpoints running Adobe Bridge and forward it to a central analytics platform
Alert on Adobe Bridge opening files sourced from Downloads, Temp, or Outlook attachment directories
Track installed Adobe Bridge versions across the fleet and flag hosts still running 14.1.8, 15.1.1, or earlier

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54278

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Adobe Bridge to the fixed versions listed in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-96
Inventory all workstations running Adobe Bridge and prioritize patching for users who routinely open files from external sources
Remind users not to open Bridge files received from untrusted email, chat, or web sources until patching completes

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed builds alongside Security Advisory APSB25-96 on October 15, 2025. Administrators should apply the vendor-supplied updates through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or managed deployment tooling. Review the advisory for exact fixed version numbers for both the 14.x and 15.x branches.

Workarounds

Restrict Adobe Bridge usage to files originating from trusted internal repositories until the patch is deployed
Block or quarantine inbound file types commonly processed by Adobe Bridge at email and web gateways when the sender is unverified
Apply application control policies that prevent Adobe Bridge from launching files directly from browser download or email attachment directories

bash

# Example: enumerate Adobe Bridge installations on Windows endpoints
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "*Adobe Bridge*" } | Select-Object Name, Version