CVE-2020-9727 in InDesign
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption vulnerability exists in InDesign 15.1.1 (and earlier versions). Insecure handling of a malicious indd file could be abused to cause an out-of-bounds memory access, potentially resulting in code execution in the context of the current user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2025
The memory corruption vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9727 resides within Adobe InDesign 15.1.1 and earlier versions, representing a critical security flaw that could be exploited through maliciously crafted indd files. This vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflow conditions as classified by CWE-121, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory allocation patterns. The flaw specifically manifests during the processing of structured document data within the InDesign application, creating opportunities for unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the document parsing subsystem of InDesign. When the application processes an indd file containing malformed data structures, particularly within embedded object references or metadata fields, it fails to properly validate array bounds during memory allocation operations. This insecure handling creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical program structures or executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety issues and privilege escalation risks, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9727 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain persistent access to affected systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, lateral movement within network environments, or establishment of backdoor access points. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince victims to open malicious indd files, but once executed, the exploitation can occur without user interaction during normal document processing operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code, and T1059, which involves the use of command and scripting interpreter for execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-9727 should prioritize immediate software updates to Adobe InDesign 15.2.0 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched through enhanced bounds checking and memory management controls. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for incoming documents, particularly those originating from untrusted sources, and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate document processing activities. Network-level controls such as email filtering and web proxy restrictions can help prevent delivery of malicious indd files through common attack channels. Additionally, security awareness training programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown or untrusted document files, as this vulnerability primarily relies on user interaction to achieve exploitation. The patched versions address the underlying memory corruption issues by implementing proper input sanitization and memory boundary validation checks that prevent the out-of-bounds access conditions that previously enabled code execution.