CVE-2022-30665 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 • 06/19/2022
Adobe InDesign applications prior to versions 17.2.2 and 16.4.2 contain a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability classified as CVE-2022-30665 that presents a significant security risk to end users. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the application's handling of specific file formats, particularly those related to the InDesign Document format. The flaw manifests when the software processes malformed or specially crafted documents that contain malicious data structures, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions in software applications. This issue represents a sophisticated attack vector that requires social engineering or targeted delivery of malicious files, as user interaction is mandatory for exploitation to occur. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker crafting a specially designed InDesign document that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, triggers the memory corruption exploit. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities through malicious file delivery, and T1059, representing execution through command and scripting interpreter. The impact of successful exploitation extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to potentially install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected systems. Organizations using Adobe InDesign in creative workflows, publishing environments, or design studios face heightened risk due to the frequent sharing of design files among collaborators. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that InDesign is widely used in professional environments where users may encounter untrusted files from external sources or colleagues, creating numerous potential attack surfaces. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing robust file validation procedures. The out-of-bounds write condition creates a predictable memory corruption pattern that can be reliably exploited by attackers with sufficient knowledge of the target application's memory layout. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where InDesign is commonly used for publishing and document preparation, as it can serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration. The exploitation requires minimal privileges since it operates within the context of the current user, but can potentially escalate to system-level access depending on the user's permissions and the specific system configuration. Adobe's patch management for this vulnerability included comprehensive updates addressing the memory handling issues in document parsing routines, specifically targeting the buffer overflow conditions that enabled the out-of-bounds write. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of patches and implement additional security controls such as email filtering, file scanning, and restricted file sharing protocols to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the broader challenge of securing creative software applications that process complex binary formats, as these applications often require extensive parsing capabilities that can introduce security flaws if not properly validated.