CVE-2024-45136 in InCopy
Summary
by MITRE • 10/09/2024
InCopy versions 19.4, 18.5.3 and earlier are affected by an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution by an attacker. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a malicious file which can then be executed on the server. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-45136 affects Adobe InCopy versions 19.4, 18.5.3, and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables unrestricted file uploads with dangerous file types. This vulnerability resides within Adobe's desktop publishing and content creation software, specifically targeting the file handling mechanisms that process user-uploaded content. The flaw allows attackers to bypass normal file validation procedures and upload malicious files that can execute arbitrary code on the affected server systems. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-434 which specifically addresses the unrestricted upload of files with dangerous types, a well-documented weakness that has been exploited in numerous high-profile security incidents across various software platforms. The attack vector requires user interaction, meaning that an attacker must convince a legitimate user to perform an action that triggers the vulnerable code path, typically through social engineering or phishing techniques that prompt the user to upload a malicious file.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within InCopy's file processing pipeline. When users attempt to upload files through the application's interface, the software fails to properly validate file extensions, content types, or file signatures against a comprehensive whitelist of allowed formats. This weakness allows attackers to upload files with extensions such as .jsp, .php, .asp, or other server-side include formats that can be executed by the web server hosting the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the server-side execution level where uploaded files can be processed and stored in locations accessible to the web server, creating a direct pathway for remote code execution. The attack chain typically involves uploading a malicious file disguised as a legitimate document, which then gets processed by the application and stored on the server where it can be executed by the web server process.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-45136 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Once an attacker successfully uploads and executes malicious code, they can establish persistent access to the compromised system, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability affects organizations using Adobe InCopy in enterprise environments where content management systems may be integrated with web servers, making the attack surface significantly larger than initially apparent. The vulnerability also impacts organizations that rely on InCopy for collaborative content creation workflows, where multiple users may be prompted to upload files to shared repositories or content management systems. The requirement for user interaction does not necessarily limit the attack scope, as social engineering campaigns can effectively target specific individuals within an organization, particularly those with administrative privileges or access to shared content repositories. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to gain initial access, and T1059 which covers the execution of malicious code through various methods including uploaded files.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest available versions of Adobe InCopy that address this vulnerability, as well as implementing comprehensive file validation mechanisms at multiple layers of their infrastructure. Network segmentation and application firewalls should be deployed to limit access to InCopy servers, while implementing strict file type whitelisting policies that prevent execution of potentially dangerous file formats. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's attack surface. The mitigation strategy should also include user education programs to raise awareness about social engineering tactics that could be used to exploit this vulnerability, as well as implementing monitoring and alerting systems that can detect anomalous file upload patterns or execution attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content delivery network protections to add additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both known and unknown vulnerabilities in enterprise software environments.