CVE-2024-39393 Overview
CVE-2024-39393 affects Adobe InDesign Desktop versions ID19.4, ID18.5.2, and earlier. The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read [CWE-125] triggered when InDesign parses a crafted document file. Attackers can leverage the flaw to execute code in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, meaning a victim must open a malicious file supplied by the attacker.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user, potentially leading to full compromise of the local workstation.
Affected Products
- Adobe InDesign Desktop ID19.4 and earlier
- Adobe InDesign Desktop ID18.5.2 and earlier
- Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS installations running affected InDesign versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-08-14 - CVE-2024-39393 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-39393
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-39393 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the file parsing logic of Adobe InDesign Desktop. When InDesign processes a specially crafted document, the parser reads past the end of an allocated memory structure. This read primitive exposes adjacent heap memory and can be chained with other memory corruption behaviors to achieve arbitrary code execution.
The issue is classified as [CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read]. Attackers construct malformed InDesign document artifacts that manipulate size or length fields consumed by the parser. When the parser trusts these attacker-controlled values, memory access extends beyond the intended buffer boundary.
Exploitation runs in the security context of the user opening the file. If the user holds administrative privileges, the resulting code execution inherits those privileges. The attack vector is local and requires user interaction, but no authentication is needed on the target system.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds validation when parsing structured fields within a crafted InDesign file. The parser dereferences offsets or reads length-prefixed data without verifying that the requested read remains within the allocated buffer. This allows an attacker-controlled length or offset to trigger reads past the allocation boundary.
Attack Vector
An attacker delivers a malicious InDesign document through phishing email, a compromised website, a shared file repository, or a supply chain artifact. The victim opens the file in a vulnerable InDesign Desktop version. Parsing of the crafted content triggers the out-of-bounds read, which the attacker leverages to execute code in the user's session.
No verified public proof-of-concept exploit is available. See the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory APSB24-56 for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-39393
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected InDesign document files (.indd, .indt, .idml) arriving via email attachments, download, or shared drives from untrusted senders
- InDesign processes (InDesign.exe on Windows, Adobe InDesign on macOS) spawning child processes such as command shells, scripting hosts, or PowerShell
- Unusual outbound network connections initiated by the InDesign process shortly after a file open event
- Creation of new executables or scheduled tasks by the InDesign process
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process creation events where the parent process is InDesign and the child process is a shell, LOLBin, or scripting interpreter
- Alert on InDesign writing to sensitive locations such as user startup folders, %APPDATA%, or Launch Agents on macOS
- Correlate file-open events on .indd and .idml files with subsequent anomalous behavior on the same host
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest endpoint process, file, and network telemetry into a centralized data lake for retrospective hunting on InDesign-related activity
- Track the installed InDesign version across the fleet and flag hosts running builds older than the patched releases
- Enable email attachment inspection and sandbox detonation for InDesign file formats
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-39393
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Adobe InDesign Desktop to the fixed versions listed in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-56
- Inventory all endpoints running InDesign and prioritize patching workstations that handle externally supplied design files
- Restrict local administrative privileges on workstations that open third-party document files
- Train users to reject unsolicited InDesign document attachments and to verify senders before opening
Patch Information
Adobe released fixes as part of security bulletin APSB24-56. Administrators should deploy the updated InDesign builds through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling. Refer to the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory for exact fixed version numbers and download instructions.
Workarounds
- Block or quarantine InDesign document formats at the email gateway when the sender is external and untrusted
- Open untrusted InDesign files only inside isolated virtual machines or sandboxed environments
- Apply application control policies to prevent InDesign from spawning shells, scripting hosts, or unsigned binaries
# Example: verify installed InDesign version on macOS
mdls -name kMDItemVersion "/Applications/Adobe InDesign 2024/Adobe InDesign 2024.app"
# Example: query installed InDesign version on Windows via PowerShell
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "*InDesign*" } |
Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
