CVE-2024-20785
📋 TL;DR
A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Adobe InDesign allows arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious file. This affects users running vulnerable versions of InDesign Desktop. Successful exploitation requires user interaction but runs with the victim's privileges.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe InDesign Desktop
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged-in user, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or malware installation on the affected workstation, compromising user data and potentially spreading within the network.
If Mitigated
Limited to isolated workstation compromise if proper application whitelisting and user privilege restrictions are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file) and knowledge of heap manipulation techniques. No public exploits confirmed as of advisory date.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: ID19.4 and ID18.5.3
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/indesign/apsb24-48.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe InDesign. 2. Go to Help > Updates. 3. Install available updates to version 19.4 or 18.5.3. 4. Restart the application.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict InDesign file execution
allUse application control policies to block execution of InDesign files from untrusted sources
User education
allTrain users to only open InDesign files from trusted sources and verify file integrity
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of malicious InDesign files
- Run InDesign with reduced user privileges or in isolated environments
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check InDesign version via Help > About InDesign. If version is 19.3 or earlier, or 18.5.2 or earlier, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
On Windows: Check via Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. On macOS: Check via About This Mac > System Report > Applications.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 19.4 or higher, or 18.5.3 or higher after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected InDesign crashes
- Suspicious file opens in InDesign from unusual locations
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from InDesign process
SIEM Query:
Process creation where parent process is InDesign and command line contains suspicious parameters