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CVE-2022-30663: Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) in Adobe InDesign

Medium
Published: Thu Jun 16 2022 (06/16/2022, 17:00:57 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: Adobe
Product: InDesign

Description

Adobe InDesign versions 17.2.1 (and earlier) and 16.4.1 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 06/23/2025, 05:50:09 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2022-30663 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) affecting Adobe InDesign versions 17.2.1 and earlier, as well as 16.4.1 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the application 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 security context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the opening of a maliciously crafted InDesign file. Once triggered, the vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute code, potentially leading to unauthorized actions such as installing malware, modifying files, or escalating privileges within the compromised environment. The vulnerability does not have any known public exploits in the wild as of the published date, and Adobe has not provided patch links in the provided data, indicating that remediation may require updates or mitigations from Adobe or administrators. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity, reflecting the need for user interaction and the scope limited to the current user's privileges. However, the risk remains significant for environments where Adobe InDesign is widely used, especially in creative and publishing sectors.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-30663 can be considerable, particularly for industries relying heavily on Adobe InDesign for document creation and publishing, such as media companies, advertising agencies, and design firms. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially resulting in data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of business operations. Since the vulnerability executes code with the current user's privileges, the impact depends on the user's access level; users with elevated privileges could face more severe consequences. Additionally, compromised systems could be used as footholds for lateral movement within corporate networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. The requirement for user interaction (opening a malicious file) means that social engineering or phishing campaigns could be vectors for exploitation. Given the widespread use of Adobe products in Europe, organizations that do not enforce strict file handling policies or lack endpoint protection may be more vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits over time.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Apply official Adobe patches as soon as they become available; monitor Adobe security advisories closely for updates related to this vulnerability. 2. Implement strict email and file filtering policies to block or quarantine suspicious InDesign files, especially from untrusted sources. 3. Educate users on the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected files, emphasizing caution with InDesign documents received via email or download. 4. Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous behaviors associated with exploitation attempts, such as unusual memory writes or process injections. 5. Restrict user privileges to the minimum necessary, reducing the potential impact of code execution under user context. 6. Employ application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of untrusted code. 7. Consider sandboxing or isolating Adobe InDesign usage environments to limit potential damage from exploitation. 8. Regularly back up critical data and verify backup integrity to enable recovery in case of compromise. 9. Monitor network traffic for indicators of compromise related to lateral movement or data exfiltration following potential exploitation.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
adobe
Date Reserved
2022-05-12T00:00:00.000Z
Cisa Enriched
true

Threat ID: 682d9843c4522896dcbf3383

Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:09:23 AM

Last enriched: 6/23/2025, 5:50:09 AM

Last updated: 7/30/2025, 8:07:53 PM

Views: 10

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