CVE-2021-45053 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) found in Adobe InCopy version 16.4 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software improperly handles memory boundaries, allowing an attacker to write data outside the intended buffer limits. Such memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a maliciously crafted InCopy file. Upon opening this file, the vulnerability can be triggered, potentially allowing an attacker to execute code with the same privileges as the user running Adobe InCopy. Since Adobe InCopy is a professional word processing and editorial tool used primarily in publishing workflows, the attack vector is through social engineering or targeted delivery of malicious documents. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no official patches have been linked in the provided data. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on January 13, 2022, and is classified as medium severity by the vendor. The lack of a CVSS score means severity assessment must consider the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, the exploitation complexity, and the requirement for user interaction.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, particularly for media, publishing houses, and creative agencies that rely on Adobe InCopy for their editorial processes. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to compromise user accounts, steal sensitive editorial content, or deploy further malware within the corporate network. This could result in intellectual property theft, disruption of publishing workflows, and potential reputational damage. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, phishing or spear-phishing campaigns could be used to deliver malicious files. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivially exploitable remotely without user action, the consequences of exploitation can still be severe in environments where Adobe InCopy is widely used. Additionally, compromised systems could serve as footholds for lateral movement within an organization’s network, increasing the risk of broader compromise.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on user awareness and training to recognize and avoid opening suspicious or unsolicited InCopy files, especially those received via email or untrusted sources. 2. Organizations should implement strict email filtering and attachment scanning to detect and block potentially malicious InCopy files. 3. Deploy endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior associated with exploitation attempts of memory corruption vulnerabilities. 4. Restrict Adobe InCopy usage to only those users who require it, and run the application with the least privileges necessary to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 5. Monitor for unusual process behavior or network activity originating from systems running Adobe InCopy. 6. Since no patch link is provided, organizations should regularly check Adobe’s official security advisories for updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7. Consider application whitelisting or sandboxing Adobe InCopy to contain potential exploitation. 8. Maintain regular backups of critical editorial data to ensure recovery in case of compromise.