Adobe InDesign versions ID20.0 and ID19.5.1, along with earlier versions, are affected by a high-severity out-of-bounds write vulnerability. This vulnerability allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user, which poses a significant risk if exploited. To exploit this issue, an attacker must convince a victim to open a malicious file, leading to potential unauthorized actions within the application.
The vulnerability has been scored with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, categorizing it as high severity. This severity score indicates a considerable level of risk to organizations that utilize these InDesign versions. The potential impact includes loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of user data, which are critical for maintaining trust and operational integrity.
Given the exploitation status of this vulnerability, which is currently not included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, organizations should prioritize addressing this issue. The urgency to patch is underscored by the fact that exploitation requires user interaction, yet the consequences of such exploitation can be severe.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Implementing timely updates is essential to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability and to protect sensitive data from potential breaches.
Vulnerability Details
InDesign Desktop versions ID20.0 and ID19.5.1 are impacted by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. To exploit this vulnerability, user interaction is necessary as the victim must open a malicious file. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.8, indicating high severity.
The affected versions include any version prior to 19.5.2 for InDesign Desktop. Adobe has provided a vendor advisory regarding this vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability is linked to improper memory management, leading to out-of-bounds write access. The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, meaning attackers need access to the target system to exploit it. The complexity of the attack is low, as it only requires the victim to open a specially crafted file.
No privileges are required for exploitation, and user interaction is mandatory for the attack to succeed. The potential impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks, as the vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data and the ability for attackers to perform malicious actions within the InDesign application. Given the high severity score, organizations should be aware of the blast radius that could arise if the vulnerability is exploited, particularly in environments that rely heavily on Adobe InDesign for document creation and management.
With the CVE's CVSS score of 7.8, this vulnerability demands immediate attention from security teams. The implications of exploitation can severely disrupt operations and damage reputations, making it crucial for organizations to include this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Adobe InDesign include ID20.0 and ID19.5.1, along with all versions prior to 19.5.2. Organizations should review their installations to ensure they are not using these affected versions.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should update to the latest version of Adobe InDesign. As of this writing, users should upgrade to version 19.5.2 or later. If a patch is unavailable, organizations should consider alternative workarounds, such as restricting the execution of files from untrusted sources.
More comprehensive security practices, including regular updates and monitoring, should be adopted to minimize exposure to potential vulnerabilities. Organizations can also seek assistance through penetration testing to evaluate their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any indicators of exploitation attempts related to this vulnerability. Behavioral anomalies in the application should be flagged, especially when associated with file handling. Additionally, network signatures that detect known malicious file patterns can aid in early detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the ongoing risks associated with user interaction in software applications. As seen in similar cases, vulnerabilities that require user action can still lead to severe consequences. Security teams should consider this when designing user training and awareness programs.
Long-term, organizations should adopt a proactive approach to security by implementing regular security assessments. This includes keeping abreast of emerging vulnerabilities and ensuring timely updates. For further insights, organizations can refer to resources on penetration testing methodology and vulnerability management programs to enhance their security measures.
By understanding the implications of vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-21157, organizations can better prepare and defend against potential threats in the ever-evolving cyber landscape.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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