CVE-2024-39392
📋 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 of InDesign Desktop versions ID18.5.2, ID19.3 and earlier. Successful exploitation requires user interaction through opening a crafted file.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe InDesign Desktop
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining the same privileges as the current user, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to malware installation, data exfiltration, or persistence mechanisms on the affected workstation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to user awareness training preventing malicious file opening, with potential file corruption or application crash.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file) and knowledge of heap manipulation techniques. No public exploits known at advisory publication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: ID19.4 and later, ID18.6 and later
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. Follow prompts to install available updates. 4. Alternatively, download installer from Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app or Adobe website. 5. Restart computer after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict InDesign file handling
allConfigure system to open .indd files with alternative applications or require verification before opening.
User awareness training
allTrain users to only open InDesign files from trusted sources and verify file integrity.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized InDesign execution
- Use endpoint protection with behavior monitoring to detect suspicious file opening activities
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check InDesign version via Help > About InDesign. If version is ID18.5.2 or earlier, or ID19.3 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
On Windows: Check via Help > About InDesign. On macOS: Adobe InDesign > About InDesign.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is ID19.4 or later, or ID18.6 or later after update installation.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected InDesign crashes with heap-related errors
- Multiple failed file opening attempts
- Process creation from InDesign with unusual parameters
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections following InDesign file opening
- DNS requests to suspicious domains after file processing
SIEM Query:
source="*indesign*" AND (event_type="crash" OR process_name="indesign.exe" AND parent_process NOT IN ("explorer.exe", "ccxprocess.exe"))