CVE-2022-28852 in InDesign
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2022
Adobe InDesign versions 16.4.2 (and earlier) and 17.3 (and earlier) are affected by by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2022
Adobe InDesign applications running versions 16.4.2 and earlier, as well as 17.3 and earlier, contain a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for users. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists within the application's handling of specially crafted files, where improper bounds checking allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to execute malicious code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires social engineering techniques to convince users to open a maliciously crafted file, making it a user-interaction dependent exploit. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1203, which involves legitimate user interaction with malicious files. The attack vector typically involves enticing users to open specially constructed InDesign documents that contain malformed data structures designed to trigger the out-of-bounds write condition. When the vulnerable application processes this malicious file, the memory corruption occurs, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may encounter such files through email attachments, shared documents, or compromised collaboration platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to establish persistent access to affected systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install additional malware, steal sensitive data, or create backdoors for future access. The fact that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe InDesign means that organizations with legacy systems or those that have not yet updated their software are particularly at risk. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential spread of exploitation, as well as monitoring for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing robust security awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patch management to address this vulnerability, as Adobe has released security updates to resolve the issue. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying the latest security patches from Adobe, which would typically involve updating to InDesign versions 16.5.0 or 17.4.0 and later. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can help prevent execution of unauthorized software, while network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious file transfer activities. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary file format support in InDesign applications where possible, reducing the attack surface. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify any remaining vulnerable systems, and incident response procedures should be updated to include specific handling for potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of timely patch management and user education in defending against sophisticated attacks that leverage application-specific flaws.