CVE-2026-48374: Bridge Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2026-48374 Overview

CVE-2026-48374 is a path traversal vulnerability in Adobe Bridge that allows arbitrary file system read outside the intended access scope. The flaw maps to CWE-22, Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. An attacker who convinces a victim to open a malicious file can access sensitive files and directories on the local system. Exploitation requires user interaction and executes in the context of the local user running Bridge. Adobe published the fix in security advisory APSB26-89.

Critical Impact
A successful attack lets an adversary read arbitrary files from the victim's file system, exposing credentials, configuration data, and other sensitive content.

Affected Products

Adobe Bridge (versions listed in advisory APSB26-89)
Windows installations of Adobe Bridge
macOS installations of Adobe Bridge

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-28 - CVE-2026-48374 published to NVD
2026-07-28 - Last updated in NVD database
2026-07-28 - Adobe security advisory APSB26-89 released

Technical Details for CVE-2026-48374

Vulnerability Analysis

Adobe Bridge fails to properly restrict pathnames when handling file references contained in a document opened by the user. The application resolves paths without normalizing traversal sequences such as ../ or absolute path prefixes. When Bridge parses a crafted file, embedded references escape the intended working directory and resolve to arbitrary locations on the host. Bridge then reads the referenced content and exposes it to the attacker-controlled workflow, resulting in disclosure of files that the user process can access.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient input validation on pathname components supplied through a Bridge-parseable file format. Bridge trusts path data from the file without canonicalizing it against an allowed base directory. This maps directly to CWE-22, where user-controlled input traverses parent directories to reach protected file system locations.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts a malicious Bridge-compatible file and delivers it through phishing, a shared drive, or a download link. The victim opens the file in Adobe Bridge, and the path traversal executes with the victim's file system permissions. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability under the CVSS scope. No verified public exploit code or proof-of-concept is currently available. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB26-89 for technical remediation details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-48374

Indicators of Compromise

Adobe Bridge process (Bridge.exe on Windows, Adobe Bridge on macOS) accessing files outside standard project, cache, or preferences directories
Unexpected read access from Bridge to sensitive paths such as C:\Users\<user>\.ssh\, C:\Windows\System32\config\, or /etc/, ~/.aws/, ~/.ssh/
Bridge opening files delivered through email attachments or untrusted download sources shortly before anomalous file reads

Detection Strategies

Monitor endpoint telemetry for Bridge process file-open events targeting paths outside its normal working directories
Alert on file reads by Bridge that traverse parent directories (..\ or ../ sequences) or reference sensitive OS locations
Correlate Bridge document-open events with subsequent access to credential stores, browser profile data, or SSH keys

Monitoring Recommendations

Collect and retain process, file, and command-line telemetry from workstations running Adobe Bridge
Track installed Adobe Bridge versions across the fleet and flag hosts running versions listed as vulnerable in APSB26-89
Baseline typical Bridge file access patterns to reduce false positives on legitimate project directory reads

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-48374

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the Adobe Bridge update referenced in APSB26-89 on all affected endpoints
Instruct users not to open Adobe Bridge files received from untrusted sources or unexpected senders
Inventory Adobe Bridge installations and prioritize patching on systems that handle sensitive data or credentials

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed versions of Bridge in security advisory APSB26-89 on 2026-07-28. Administrators should deploy the updated version through Adobe Creative Cloud, managed software distribution, or the Adobe Admin Console. Confirm the installed build number matches or exceeds the fixed version documented in the advisory.

Workarounds

Restrict opening of Bridge files to those originating from trusted internal repositories until patching completes
Apply application allowlisting and file-type handler controls to prevent Bridge from automatically opening files delivered through email or the web
Run Bridge under a standard user account with limited file system access to reduce the scope of readable data

bash

# Verify Adobe Bridge version on Windows
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Adobe Bridge" /s | findstr /i version

# Verify Adobe Bridge version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Bridge <year>/Adobe Bridge.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString