Adobe InDesign versions ID20.0, ID19.5.1 and earlier are affected by a critical heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction; the victim must open a malicious file to trigger the vulnerability. The severity level is classified as high, with a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating significant risk to organizations that utilize this software.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential system compromise. As attackers increasingly leverage user interaction to exploit vulnerabilities, the urgency for defenders to implement patches cannot be overstated. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to safeguard their systems against this vulnerability.
The vulnerability was published on February 11, 2025, and is categorized under CWE-122 and CWE-787, highlighting the importance of secure coding practices. With the growing trend of exploiting user-interaction-dependent vulnerabilities, organizations must remain vigilant in their defense strategies.
As of now, there is no known public exploit or proof of concept available, but the potential for exploitation remains, making it crucial for organizations to address this vulnerability promptly.
Vulnerability Details
InDesign Desktop versions ID20.0, ID19.5.1 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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.
The vulnerability is classified as high severity with a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a significant risk for users. The affected product is Adobe InDesign, and it was published on February 11, 2025.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program attempts to write more data to a buffer than it can hold, leading to memory corruption. The attack vector is local, necessitating that the malicious file be opened by the victim. The attack complexity is low, requiring no special privileges, but does require user interaction to exploit.
The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to a complete system compromise.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risks associated with this vulnerability include unauthorized access to sensitive user data and potential system control. The blast radius is concerning, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions of InDesign, which may be widely used across different organizations. Given the CVSS score of 7.8 and the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should address this in their priority patch cycle.
The urgency is classified as high, emphasizing immediate action to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Adobe InDesign ID20.0, ID19.5.1 and earlier versions. Organizations must ensure they are using versions 19.5.2 or later to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should update to the latest version of Adobe InDesign, specifically version 19.5.2 or later. If an update is not immediately available, organizations should implement configuration hardening and educate users about the risks of opening unknown files. Regular training on security awareness can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation.
Penetration testing can also be employed to identify and address similar vulnerabilities across the organization's systems.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual file access patterns and analyze behavioral anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network signatures associated with known malicious payloads should be implemented to detect potential attacks targeting this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability highlights the ongoing trend of exploiting local vulnerabilities that require user interaction. Security teams should focus on developing robust training programs to mitigate risks associated with user behavior. Organizations must prioritize understanding the patterns of such vulnerabilities, ensuring comprehensive security measures are in place to protect their infrastructure.
Effective penetration testing methodologies can further enhance the security posture of organizations by identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
A comprehensive vulnerability management program is essential for proactively managing and mitigating risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-21123.
Cloud penetration testing should also be considered as part of a holistic security strategy to safeguard against potential threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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