Adobe InDesign is a popular desktop publishing and typesetting tool used by designers and professionals all over the world. Unfortunately, versions 17.1 (and earlier) and 16.4.1 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that, if exploited, could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. In simpler terms, it means an attacker can execute any code or perform any actions on your computer that you can do.

This critical vulnerability has been assigned CVE-2022-28833. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction, which means that a victim must open a malicious file for the vulnerability to be exploited.

In this long read post, we will dive deep into the details of CVE-2022-28833, providing code snippets, links to original references, and exploit details to help you understand the vulnerability and protect yourself from potential attacks.

Understanding the Vulnerability

The CVE-2022-28833 vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write issue. This means it occurs due to a faulty code where the system accesses memory outside the bounds of an array or buffer, which can cause unpredictable behavior, crashes, or even controlled execution of arbitrary code.

In the case of Adobe InDesign, a specially crafted file can trigger the vulnerability when opened, leading to arbitrary code execution. Since the exploit depends on user interaction, attackers primarily rely on social engineering tactics to lure victims into opening the malicious file.

The following code snippet illustrates an example of an out-of-bounds write vulnerability

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
  int array[10];
  int index = 10; // Out-of-bounds index
  int value = 42;

  array[index] = value; // Writing to memory out-of-bounds
  return ;
}

In this example, the array has a size of 10 elements, but the index variable has been set to 10, which is outside the bounds of the array. This out-of-bounds write can potentially be exploited by an attacker.

Mitigation and Fix

Adobe has released an official security update to address this vulnerability for Adobe InDesign (references: Adobe Security Bulletin, CVE-2022-28833 Details). To protect yourself from this vulnerability, follow these steps:

1. Check the version of Adobe InDesign you are using by opening the application and going to the "Help" menu, then selecting "About Adobe InDesign."
2. If your version is 17.1 or earlier (for Creative Cloud users) or 16.4.1 or earlier (for Classic users), you should update immediately.
3. Download the latest security update for Adobe InDesign from Adobe's website.

Always keep software up-to-date with the latest security patches.

- Be cautious when opening files from unknown sources. Avoid downloading files from suspicious websites or opening email attachments from untrusted sources.

Conclusion

The CVE-2022-28833 vulnerability in Adobe InDesign is a critical issue that affects users worldwide. While exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, it is essential to stay vigilant in protecting yourself and your organization by understanding the vulnerability, updating your software, and following best security practices. Remember always to keep your software up-to-date and be cautious when opening files from unknown sources.

Timeline

Published on: 09/11/2023 14:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 09/11/2023 14:26:00 UTC