CVE-2017-11302 in InDesign
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Adobe InDesign 12.1.0 and earlier versions. An exploitable memory corruption vulnerability exists. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
Adobe InDesign versions 12.1.0 and earlier contain a memory corruption vulnerability that presents a significant security risk to users. This vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows as identified by CWE-122, where an attacker can manipulate memory allocation patterns to overwrite adjacent memory regions. The flaw manifests when the application processes specially crafted input files, particularly those containing malformed or maliciously constructed data structures that exceed allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper bounds checking during the parsing of document elements within InDesign's processing pipeline. When the application encounters malformed data structures in imported or opened files, it fails to validate the size or content of incoming data before attempting to copy or process it into fixed-size memory buffers. This lack of input validation creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious documents that trigger memory corruption conditions, potentially leading to stack or heap overflows that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for privilege escalation and persistent access to affected systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by delivering malicious InDesign files through social engineering campaigns, phishing emails, or compromised websites that users might inadvertently open. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that InDesign documents are commonly shared and opened across various platforms, making the attack surface broad and accessible. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the use of malicious documents to gain initial access to target systems.
Organizations using Adobe InDesign versions prior to 12.1.1 should immediately implement mitigations to protect their environments from potential exploitation. The primary defense mechanism involves updating to Adobe InDesign version 12.1.1 or later, which includes patches specifically addressing the memory corruption vulnerability. Additionally, implementing strict file validation procedures, limiting user permissions for document processing, and deploying application whitelisting solutions can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Network-based defenses such as intrusion prevention systems should also be configured to monitor for suspicious file types and patterns associated with known exploit attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a critical memory corruption issue warrants immediate attention from security teams, as it represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where InDesign is commonly used for document creation and publishing workflows.