CVE-2024-39392 Overview
CVE-2024-39392 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Adobe InDesign Desktop affecting versions ID18.5.2, ID19.3, and earlier. Attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a crafted InDesign file. The flaw impacts both Windows and macOS installations of InDesign. Adobe published the fix in security advisory APSB24-48.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution under the current user's privileges, enabling malware deployment, data theft, or lateral movement from a single opened document.
Affected Products
- Adobe InDesign Desktop ID18.5.2 and earlier 18.x releases
- Adobe InDesign Desktop ID19.3 and earlier 19.x releases
- Windows and macOS installations of the affected InDesign builds
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-08-02 - CVE-2024-39392 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-39392
Vulnerability Analysis
The issue is a heap-based buffer overflow classified under [CWE-122] and [CWE-787] (out-of-bounds write). InDesign parses complex document structures, and malformed data in a crafted file drives a write past the boundary of a heap-allocated buffer. That out-of-bounds write corrupts adjacent heap metadata or object pointers used later by the application. An attacker who controls the overflow contents can steer execution into attacker-supplied code within the InDesign process. Exploitation runs with the privileges of the user opening the file, which typically includes broad access to user data and installed applications.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient bounds validation when InDesign processes structured content from a document file. A field controlled by the file specifies a size or count that the parser trusts without proper checks. The parser then copies data into a heap buffer sized for the expected value, overflowing the allocation when the attacker-supplied value is larger.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local user interaction: the victim must open a malicious .indd or associated InDesign file. Delivery channels include email attachments, shared design assets, and compromised file shares. No network access to the target is required, and no elevated privileges are needed prior to exploitation. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-48 for vendor technical guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-39392
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by InDesign.exe or the macOS InDesign binary, such as shells, scripting hosts, or LOLBins.
- InDesign process crashes with heap corruption exceptions correlated with opening a specific document.
- InDesign files (.indd, .idml) arriving from untrusted email senders or external file shares.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage for InDesign spawning cmd.exe, powershell.exe, wscript.exe, bash, or osascript.
- Alert on InDesign making outbound network connections to non-Adobe infrastructure shortly after document open.
- Hunt for InDesign writing executable content to user-writable directories such as %TEMP%, %APPDATA%, or ~/Library/Application Support.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest endpoint process, file, and network telemetry into a centralized SIEM with retention sufficient for retrospective hunts.
- Track InDesign version inventory across managed endpoints to confirm patch coverage against ID18.5.2 and ID19.3.
- Enable crash reporting and forward Application/CrashReporter logs for behavioral analysis of malformed document handling.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-39392
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Adobe InDesign to the fixed builds identified in APSB24-48 on all Windows and macOS endpoints.
- Block inbound .indd and .idml attachments from untrusted senders at the email gateway until patching completes.
- Instruct users to open InDesign files only from verified sources and to avoid documents received unsolicited.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed versions of InDesign in security bulletin APSB24-48. Administrators should deploy the updated builds through Creative Cloud or managed software distribution and validate installed versions exceed ID18.5.2 and ID19.3. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-48 for exact fixed build numbers and download instructions.
Workarounds
- Restrict InDesign use to standard user accounts to limit blast radius of code execution.
- Enforce application allowlisting to prevent InDesign from launching interpreters or unauthorized child processes.
- Isolate document review of untrusted InDesign files inside sandboxed or virtualized workstations.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
