Adobe InDesign Desktop versions ID20.0, ID19.5.1 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could result in an application denial-of-service condition. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the application by causing it to crash, leading to a denial of service. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
The severity level is classified as medium with a CVSS score of 5.5. This score indicates a moderate risk to organizations, particularly those using vulnerable versions of Adobe InDesign. The potential impact includes service interruptions that could affect productivity and workflow.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. Failure to address this could lead to significant disruptions, especially in environments heavily reliant on Adobe InDesign.
As of the latest updates, there are no known exploits or public proof of concept available for this vulnerability, but the potential for exploitation remains.
Vulnerability Details
The affected products include Adobe InDesign versions ID20.0 and ID19.5.1 and earlier. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20 for improper input validation, which highlights the need for secure coding practices during application development.
The CVSS vector string for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating a local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, and high availability impact.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation, which allows attackers to craft malicious files that can cause the application to crash. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have access to the system where the application is installed.
Given that user interaction is required, the complexity of the attack is low, but it does rely on the victim opening the manipulated file. No special privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability.
The impact on confidentiality and integrity is none, but availability is significantly affected due to the potential application crash.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes application downtime, which can result in lost productivity and potential data loss if the application is integral to business operations. The blast radius of this vulnerability is limited to users of affected versions of Adobe InDesign.
With a CVSS score of 5.5, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. While there are no known active exploits at this time, the nature of the vulnerability and its reliance on user interaction make it a moderate risk.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of Adobe InDesign are ID20.0, ID19.5.1 and earlier. Users should upgrade to the latest patched version to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Adobe has released patches for this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure that they update to the latest version of Adobe InDesign as part of their patch management process. If a patch is not available, consider implementing configuration hardening measures to limit exposure, such as disabling the opening of potentially malicious files.
For continuous security and vulnerability management, organizations may consider utilizing penetration testing services to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for application crashes and unusual behaviors can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should establish logging mechanisms to capture events related to file access and user interactions with Adobe InDesign.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its demonstration of the impact of improper input validation in software applications. Security teams should learn from such vulnerabilities to enhance their coding practices and ensure robust validation mechanisms are in place.
Organizations can benefit from reviewing their security policies and integrating lessons learned from this vulnerability into their training programs for developers. Furthermore, adopting a proactive approach to security through regular audits and assessments can yield significant improvements.
Relevant insights can be further explored through resources such as the vulnerability management program, the penetration testing methodology, and API penetration testing guide for deeper insights into risk management.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)