CVE-2024-20782 Overview
CVE-2024-20782 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] affecting Adobe InDesign Desktop versions ID19.3, ID18.5.2, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a malicious file. Exploitation requires user interaction, limiting mass exploitation but still exposing designers and publishing teams who routinely open third-party InDesign documents. Adobe published fixes in security bulletin APSB24-48.
Critical Impact
A crafted InDesign file can trigger an out-of-bounds write leading to arbitrary code execution under the current user's privileges on both Windows and macOS.
Affected Products
- Adobe InDesign Desktop ID19.3 and earlier
- Adobe InDesign Desktop ID18.5.2 and earlier
- Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS installations of the affected InDesign versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-07-09 - CVE-2024-20782 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-20782
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write in Adobe InDesign's file parsing routines. When InDesign processes a malformed document, the application writes data past the bounds of an allocated buffer. This write corrupts adjacent memory structures, which an attacker can shape to hijack control flow and execute arbitrary code as the user running InDesign.
Because InDesign runs as an unprivileged desktop application, code execution occurs in the current user's security context. On workstations used by design or marketing teams, that user often holds access to sensitive intellectual property, cloud storage credentials, and shared network drives.
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. A victim must open a malicious .indd or associated project file delivered through email, collaboration platforms, or file-sharing services.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient bounds checking during file parsing. Structured fields inside the malicious document supply length or offset values that the parser trusts without validation, resulting in writes beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This class of defect is cataloged as CWE-787.
Attack Vector
An attacker crafts a malicious InDesign document and delivers it to a target through phishing or supply chain channels. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable InDesign build, the malformed structure triggers the out-of-bounds write. Attackers commonly chain this primitive with heap grooming to achieve reliable arbitrary code execution. Refer to the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory (APSB24-48) for vendor-confirmed technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-20782
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by InDesign.exe on Windows or Adobe InDesign on macOS, particularly shells, script interpreters, or rundll32.exe.
- InDesign process crashes or unusual memory access violations correlating with the opening of an external .indd file.
- Outbound network connections initiated by the InDesign process to untrusted domains shortly after document open.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy behavioral endpoint detection rules that flag InDesign spawning command interpreters, dropping executables, or performing process injection.
- Inventory installed InDesign versions across managed endpoints and alert on hosts still running ID19.3, ID18.5.2, or earlier.
- Inspect email and file-sharing gateways for InDesign document attachments originating from external senders.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable process creation and image load telemetry on all workstations where Adobe Creative Cloud is installed.
- Correlate InDesign crash events in Windows Application Event Log and macOS unified logs with subsequent suspicious process activity.
- Monitor file write activity by InDesign to non-standard directories such as user startup folders or LaunchAgents.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-20782
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe InDesign to the fixed versions identified in bulletin APSB24-48 on all Windows and macOS endpoints.
- Instruct users not to open InDesign documents received from untrusted or unverified sources.
- Use application allow-listing and least-privilege accounts to limit the impact of code execution under the user context.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed builds addressing this vulnerability in the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory APSB24-48. Administrators should deploy the updated versions through the Creative Cloud Desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling such as the Adobe Admin Console.
Workarounds
- Restrict opening of InDesign files to those originating from trusted internal sources until patches are deployed.
- Isolate design workstations in a segmented network zone to limit lateral movement following any successful exploitation.
- Enforce mail filtering rules that quarantine inbound InDesign document attachments from external senders.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
