CVE-2022-30651 in InCopy
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2022
Adobe InCopy versions 17.2 (and earlier) and 16.4.1 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory structure. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2022
Adobe InCopy versions 17.2 and earlier as well as 16.4.1 and earlier contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability designated as CVE-2022-30651 that stems from improper memory handling during file parsing operations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions where an application accesses memory beyond the boundaries of a allocated buffer. The flaw manifests when the application processes a specially crafted file that triggers an invalid memory access pattern, causing the parser to read data past the end of a memory structure that was allocated for legitimate content processing. This type of vulnerability represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates a potential attack vector for remote code execution within the context of the current user account. Attackers can craft malicious files that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, will trigger the out-of-bounds read condition and subsequently allow arbitrary code execution. This exploit requires user interaction as specified in the vulnerability description, meaning that social engineering or phishing techniques would be necessary to deliver the malicious payload to the target system. The attack surface is limited to users who have Adobe InCopy installed and who open untrusted files, but the privilege escalation potential is significant since execution occurs within the user's security context.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through compromised applications. The vulnerability's exploitation chain involves initial access through a malicious file delivery mechanism followed by code execution within the application's memory space. Security professionals should note that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe InCopy, indicating a persistent issue in the application's file parsing logic that has not been adequately addressed in the affected releases. The memory safety issue represents a common class of vulnerabilities that attackers frequently target due to the potential for privilege escalation and system compromise.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches and updates to address this vulnerability, as there are no known workarounds that can effectively mitigate the risk without addressing the core memory handling issue. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all systems running affected versions of Adobe InCopy, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted documents from external sources. Monitoring for suspicious file opening activities and implementing application whitelisting controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of memory safety in applications that process external data, as even seemingly benign file operations can create pathways for sophisticated exploitation techniques.