CVE-2024-41851
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an integer overflow vulnerability in Adobe InDesign that could allow arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious file. Attackers could exploit this to run code with the victim's privileges. Users of affected InDesign versions are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe InDesign
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise via arbitrary code execution leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Malicious actors delivering targeted attacks via crafted InDesign files to execute malware or steal sensitive information.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper security controls like application sandboxing, least privilege, and file validation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file). No public exploit code available at disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: ID19.5 and ID18.5.3
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/indesign/apsb24-56.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Creative Cloud application. 2. Navigate to Updates section. 3. Install InDesign update to version 19.5 or 18.5.3. 4. Restart computer after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict InDesign file sources
allOnly open InDesign files from trusted sources and implement file validation procedures.
Application sandboxing
allRun InDesign with restricted permissions using application control or sandboxing tools.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized InDesign execution
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor for suspicious InDesign process behavior
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check InDesign version via Help > About InDesign. If version is 19.4 or earlier, or 18.5.2 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
On Windows: Check Add/Remove Programs for Adobe InDesign version. On macOS: Check Applications folder > Adobe InDesign > Get Info.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify InDesign version is 19.5 or higher, or 18.5.3 or higher after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual InDesign process spawning child processes
- InDesign crashes with memory-related errors
- File access to suspicious InDesign documents
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from InDesign process to unknown IPs
- DNS requests for suspicious domains from InDesign
SIEM Query:
process_name:"InDesign.exe" AND (child_process_creation OR process_crash)