CVE-2022-30655 in InCopy
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2022
Adobe InCopy versions 17.2 (and earlier) and 16.4.1 (and earlier) are affected by a Use-After-Free 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 versions 17.2 and earlier as well as 16.4.1 and earlier contain a critical use-after-free vulnerability designated as CVE-2022-30655 that presents significant security risks to end users. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of memory after it has been freed, creating opportunities for malicious code execution. The flaw exists within the application's handling of specially crafted files that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, can trigger the vulnerable code path.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a scenario where InCopy allocates memory for certain objects during file processing but fails to properly manage the object lifecycle. When the application processes a malicious file containing crafted data structures, it may free memory associated with specific objects while still maintaining references to them. Attackers can exploit this by crafting a file that manipulates the application's memory management routines, potentially leading to a situation where freed memory is accessed and overwritten with malicious code. This use-after-free condition allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that requires user interaction to succeed. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), as attackers would need to deliver malicious files through social engineering campaigns targeting InCopy users. The attack chain typically involves phishing emails, malicious attachments, or compromised websites that deliver the crafted files. Once opened, the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the victim's system, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within network environments.
Organizations using Adobe InCopy should prioritize immediate remediation through official Adobe security patches, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing strict email filtering mechanisms, conducting user awareness training to recognize suspicious file attachments, and maintaining up-to-date security solutions that can detect and block malicious file delivery attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized software, while monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's requirement for user interaction means that traditional network-based defenses alone may be insufficient, requiring a layered approach that combines technical controls with user education initiatives.