CVE-2022-30662 in InDesign
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2022
Adobe InDesign versions 17.2.1 (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 • 06/16/2022
Adobe InDesign software contains a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that affects versions 17.2.1 and earlier, as well as 16.4.1 and earlier releases. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write conditions, where an application attempts to write data beyond the boundaries of a allocated memory buffer. The flaw occurs during the processing of specially crafted files that leverage the software's document parsing mechanisms. When a user opens a maliciously prepared InDesign file, the application's handling of specific data structures triggers the buffer overflow condition, allowing an attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. The vulnerability requires user interaction as a prerequisite for exploitation, meaning that a victim must willingly open the malicious file for the attack to succeed. This makes the vulnerability susceptible to social engineering attacks where attackers might convince users to open compromised documents through various means such as email attachments, malicious downloads, or compromised websites. The attack vector aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 category for legitimate program execution, where adversaries leverage existing software to execute malicious code. The out-of-bounds write condition typically occurs when input validation fails and the application does not properly check array indices or buffer limits before writing data. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to users who regularly work with InDesign documents, particularly in enterprise environments where the software is widely deployed. Organizations should prioritize patching affected versions to prevent potential exploitation, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain persistent access to systems, escalate privileges, or establish backdoors. The security implications extend beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Adobe has addressed this vulnerability through security updates that include improved bounds checking and input validation mechanisms within the document processing pipeline. Users should immediately apply the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory safety practices in software development and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation to prevent buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement security awareness training to help users recognize potential social engineering attempts that could lead to exploitation of this type of vulnerability. The impact of this vulnerability extends to any user who opens untrusted InDesign files, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where document sharing is common. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing network segmentation or file filtering measures to reduce the attack surface. The remediation process involves updating to Adobe InDesign versions that contain the necessary security fixes, which typically include enhanced memory management routines and stricter validation of file content before processing. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping software updated and maintaining robust security practices in document processing applications that handle complex file formats.