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CVE-2022-30673: Out-of-bounds Read (CWE-125) in Adobe InDesign

Medium
Published: Fri Sep 16 2022 (09/16/2022, 17:20:28 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: Adobe
Product: InDesign

Description

Adobe InDesign versions 16.4.2 (and earlier) and 17.3 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to bypass mitigations such as ASLR. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 06/22/2025, 21:21:05 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2022-30673 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) affecting Adobe InDesign versions 16.4.2 and earlier, as well as 17.3 and earlier. This vulnerability allows an attacker to read memory outside the intended bounds, potentially disclosing sensitive information from the process memory space. The flaw can be exploited when a user opens a specially crafted malicious InDesign file, which triggers the out-of-bounds read. The disclosed memory content could include sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, pointers, or other information that could aid in bypassing security mitigations like Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR). By leaking memory layout details, an attacker can facilitate further exploitation, such as remote code execution or privilege escalation, although this vulnerability alone does not directly lead to code execution. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically opening a malicious file, and there are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date. The vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality due to potential information disclosure, with limited direct impact on integrity or availability. No official patch links are provided in the information, but affected users should monitor Adobe advisories for updates. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity, reflecting the moderate risk posed by information disclosure and the requirement for user interaction.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-30673 centers on potential leakage of sensitive information from Adobe InDesign processes. Organizations heavily reliant on Adobe InDesign for publishing, marketing, or design workflows could face risks if malicious files are introduced via email, file sharing, or compromised websites. Disclosure of memory contents could reveal sensitive internal data or assist attackers in bypassing ASLR, increasing the risk of subsequent, more severe attacks. This is particularly relevant for sectors handling sensitive intellectual property, confidential client information, or regulated data, such as media companies, advertising agencies, and government entities. While the vulnerability does not directly enable remote code execution, it lowers the barrier for advanced exploitation techniques. The requirement for user interaction limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with insufficient user training or lax file handling policies. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited current threat but does not preclude future exploitation. Overall, the vulnerability poses a moderate confidentiality risk that could facilitate more damaging attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering tactics.

Mitigation Recommendations

To mitigate CVE-2022-30673 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Ensure all Adobe InDesign installations are updated to the latest available versions beyond 16.4.2 and 17.3, as Adobe typically releases patches addressing such vulnerabilities. 2) Implement strict email and file filtering policies to detect and block potentially malicious InDesign files, including sandboxing unknown attachments before delivery. 3) Educate users on the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected InDesign files, emphasizing verification of file sources. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring abnormal InDesign process behaviors or memory access patterns. 5) Restrict InDesign file execution privileges where possible, using application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to limit exposure. 6) Monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits targeting this vulnerability to enable rapid response. 7) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on document handling workflows to identify and remediate weaknesses. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling file intake, user behavior, and process monitoring specific to Adobe InDesign environments.

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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: 682d9845c4522896dcbf3f33

Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:09:25 AM

Last enriched: 6/22/2025, 9:21:05 PM

Last updated: 8/12/2025, 7:18:05 AM

Views: 11

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