CVE-2022-30653 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 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 • 06/17/2022
Adobe InCopy applications suffer from a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability classified as CVE-2022-30653 that affects versions 17.2 and earlier, as well as 16.4.1 and earlier releases. This vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's memory management mechanisms where improper bounds checking allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The flaw exists within the processing logic that handles specific file formats, particularly those involving complex document structures and embedded content that InCopy uses to render professional publishing materials. When a malicious file is opened, the application's parsing routines fail to validate array indices or buffer limits properly, creating an opportunity for memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires social engineering to convince a user to open a specially crafted malicious file, making it a user-interaction dependent exploit that aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under initial access techniques. The out-of-bounds write condition creates a predictable memory corruption scenario where an attacker can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting critical memory locations including function pointers, return addresses, or other control data structures. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The impact of successful exploitation extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it allows attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the current user account, potentially enabling full system compromise through additional attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-30653 is significant for organizations that rely heavily on Adobe InCopy for professional publishing workflows, particularly in creative agencies, publishing houses, and media organizations where document collaboration is frequent. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deploy malware, establish persistent backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive content from within the organization's network. The vulnerability's presence in widely used publishing software creates an attractive target for threat actors seeking to compromise creative work environments where users may be less cautious about opening documents from untrusted sources. Organizations using affected versions of InCopy face potential data breaches, intellectual property theft, and system compromise that could disrupt critical publishing operations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill from attackers, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users regularly handle external documents and collaborate on shared projects.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-30653 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Adobe as the primary defense mechanism, with organizations monitoring for security updates from the vendor and applying them through established patch management processes. System administrators should implement additional protective measures including email filtering to block suspicious document attachments, network segmentation to limit lateral movement, and user education to reduce social engineering success rates. Security teams should consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with memory corruption exploits. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected applications and implement principle of least privilege controls to minimize the impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security monitoring practices to detect and respond to emerging threats in creative and publishing environments.