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CVE-2022-30674: Out-of-bounds Read (CWE-125) in Adobe InDesign

Medium
Published: Fri Sep 16 2022 (09/16/2022, 17:20:25 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, 21:20:50 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2022-30674 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 bounds of a buffer, potentially disclosing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. Such information disclosure could include sensitive data or memory layout details that may help an attacker bypass security mitigations like Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR). The exploitation requires user interaction, specifically that the victim opens a maliciously crafted InDesign file. This means the attack vector is primarily through social engineering or targeted delivery of malicious documents. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of reporting, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided data. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by potentially leaking sensitive memory contents, but does not directly allow code execution or modification of data. The out-of-bounds read could be leveraged as a stepping stone in a more complex attack chain, for example by revealing memory layout to facilitate further exploitation. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity by the vendor, reflecting the limited scope of impact and the requirement for user interaction. Adobe InDesign is a widely used desktop publishing software, especially in creative industries, marketing, and publishing sectors. The affected versions are relatively recent, indicating that many users could still be vulnerable if they have not updated their software.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential exposure of sensitive information through memory disclosure, which could undermine confidentiality. Organizations in sectors heavily reliant on Adobe InDesign, such as media, publishing, advertising, and design agencies, may be at higher risk. The vulnerability could be exploited to bypass ASLR, potentially enabling more severe attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities. This risk is particularly relevant for organizations handling sensitive or proprietary content. The requirement for user interaction means that phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to deliver malicious InDesign files. This elevates the risk for organizations with less mature security awareness or insufficient email/file handling policies. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise system integrity or availability, the indirect risk of further exploitation or data leakage could have reputational and operational consequences. Given the lack of known exploits in the wild, the immediate threat level is moderate, but the presence of this vulnerability in widely used software means that targeted attacks could emerge. European organizations should consider the potential for targeted attacks against creative departments or external collaborators who frequently exchange InDesign files.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on updating Adobe InDesign to the latest available version once Adobe releases a patch addressing CVE-2022-30674. Until then, organizations should restrict the opening of InDesign files from untrusted or unknown sources. 2. Implement strict email filtering and attachment scanning policies to detect and block potentially malicious InDesign files. 3. Enhance user awareness training specifically highlighting the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files, emphasizing the need for caution with InDesign documents. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to file parsing or memory access patterns associated with exploitation attempts. 5. Use application whitelisting or sandboxing for Adobe InDesign to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 6. Monitor network and endpoint logs for unusual activity following the opening of InDesign files, which could indicate exploitation attempts. 7. Coordinate with creative teams to establish secure file exchange protocols, including verification of file sources and integrity checks. 8. Consider disabling or limiting macros or scripting features within InDesign if applicable, to reduce attack surface. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector (malicious InDesign files) and the operational context of affected users.

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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: 682d9845c4522896dcbf3f44

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

Last enriched: 6/22/2025, 9:20:50 PM

Last updated: 7/30/2025, 11:20:46 PM

Views: 12

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