CVE-2024-30292 Overview
CVE-2024-30292 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] affecting Adobe Framemaker versions 2020.5, 2022.3, 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 and local access to the affected system. Adobe published the fix in security bulletin APSB24-37.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution in the context of the user running Adobe Framemaker, enabling attackers to compromise document workflows and pivot within the environment.
Affected Products
- Adobe Framemaker 2020.5 and earlier
- Adobe Framemaker 2022.3 and earlier
- Microsoft Windows (host platform for affected Framemaker installations)
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-05-16 - CVE-2024-30292 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-30292
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-30292 is an out-of-bounds write flaw classified under [CWE-787]. The vulnerability arises when Adobe Framemaker parses a crafted document and writes data past the boundary of an allocated memory buffer. Overwriting adjacent memory structures allows an attacker to corrupt program state and redirect execution flow.
Adobe categorizes the issue as enabling arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Because Framemaker often runs with standard user privileges, code executed through this flaw inherits those permissions, which are typically sufficient to access user documents, credentials, and network resources.
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. A victim must open a malicious .fm or associated Framemaker file for exploitation to occur. Delivery commonly happens through phishing email attachments, malicious downloads, or shared document repositories.
Root Cause
The root cause is inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of file structures within Adobe Framemaker. When Framemaker processes attacker-controlled length or offset fields in a malformed document, it writes beyond the intended buffer. This out-of-bounds write can corrupt function pointers, virtual method tables, or heap metadata, providing the primitive needed to hijack control flow.
Attack Vector
An attacker crafts a malicious Framemaker document containing manipulated parsing fields. The attacker distributes the file through email, chat, or a compromised website. When the target opens the file in a vulnerable Framemaker version, the parser triggers the out-of-bounds write and executes attacker-supplied shellcode.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-37 for vendor details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-30292
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by FrameMaker.exe, such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or rundll32.exe.
- Framemaker document files (.fm, .mif, .book) arriving from untrusted email senders or external file shares.
- Crash dumps or Windows Error Reporting entries referencing access violations inside Framemaker parsing modules.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for Framemaker process trees that deviate from normal document editing behavior.
- Alert on network connections initiated by FrameMaker.exe to external hosts, which are uncommon during standard use.
- Inspect email gateways for Framemaker file attachments and detonate suspicious samples in a sandbox.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable process creation and command-line auditing on Windows endpoints running Adobe Framemaker.
- Ingest Sysmon Event ID 1 (process create) and Event ID 11 (file create) into your SIEM for correlation.
- Track installed Framemaker versions across the fleet to identify unpatched hosts.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-30292
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Framemaker to the fixed release identified in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-37.
- Restrict opening of Framemaker documents received from untrusted or external sources until patching is complete.
- Enforce standard user privileges for accounts that operate Framemaker to limit post-exploitation impact.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed versions of Framemaker in bulletin APSB24-37, published on May 14, 2024. Administrators should upgrade all installations of Framemaker 2020.5 and 2022.3 and earlier to the versions specified in the advisory. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-37 for exact fixed version numbers and download links.
Workarounds
- Block inbound Framemaker file extensions (.fm, .mif, .book) at email and web gateways where they are not required for business operations.
- Use application allowlisting to prevent FrameMaker.exe from spawning shell interpreters or scripting hosts.
- Deploy attack surface reduction rules on Windows endpoints to block Office and productivity applications from creating child processes.
# Example: Windows Defender ASR rule to block Office child process creation
# (adapt policy scope to include document-processing applications in your environment)
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids D4F940AB-401B-4EFC-AADC-AD5F3C50688A `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions Enabled
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
