CVE-2024-41852 Overview
CVE-2024-41852 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Adobe InDesign Desktop. The flaw impacts InDesign versions ID19.4, ID18.5.2, and earlier releases on both Windows and macOS. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically opening a maliciously crafted InDesign file. Adobe addressed the issue in security advisory APSB24-56.
Critical Impact
Attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution on affected systems when a victim opens a weaponized InDesign document, leading to full compromise of the user's session.
Affected Products
- Adobe InDesign Desktop ID19.4 and earlier
- Adobe InDesign Desktop ID18.5.2 and earlier
- Deployments on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-08-14 - CVE-2024-41852 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-41852
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow [CWE-121] combined with an out-of-bounds write condition [CWE-787]. InDesign fails to validate boundary conditions when parsing structured data from document files. When a crafted file supplies oversized or malformed input, the application writes beyond the allocated stack buffer.
This corruption overwrites adjacent stack memory, including saved return addresses and control data. An attacker who controls the overflow contents can hijack program execution flow. Code executes with the privileges of the user running InDesign, which typically includes access to user files and network resources.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient input validation during the parsing of InDesign document structures. The application accepts attacker-controlled length or size fields without verifying they fit within the destination stack buffer. This missing boundary check allows sequential writes to exceed the buffer and corrupt the stack frame.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local user interaction. An attacker must deliver a malicious .indd or related InDesign file to the target through email, file sharing, or web download. The victim triggers the vulnerability by opening the file in a vulnerable version of InDesign. No prior authentication to the target system is required beyond the victim's existing session.
The vulnerability manifests when InDesign parses malformed document data. Refer to the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory APSB24-56 for technical details on affected file handling components.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-41852
Indicators of Compromise
- InDesign process (InDesign.exe on Windows, Adobe InDesign on macOS) spawning unexpected child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or shell interpreters.
- Unexpected network connections initiated by the InDesign process to unknown external hosts.
- InDesign document files (.indd, .idml, .indt) received from untrusted sources or delivered via phishing.
- Crashes or abnormal terminations in InDesign logged around the time a document was opened.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for process lineage anomalies where InDesign creates scripting or command interpreters.
- Inspect file write activity performed by InDesign outside its normal working directories and project folders.
- Correlate InDesign crash events with subsequent process creation or persistence artifacts on the host.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable command-line and process-creation auditing on workstations running Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
- Alert on InDesign loading unexpected DLLs or dylibs from user-writable paths.
- Track inbound file transfers of InDesign document formats from external email or web sources for retrospective analysis.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-41852
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe InDesign to the fixed versions released in Adobe security advisory APSB24-56 on all Windows and macOS endpoints.
- Inventory endpoints running InDesign ID19.4, ID18.5.2, or earlier and prioritize them for patching.
- Instruct users not to open InDesign files received from unknown or untrusted sources until patching is complete.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed versions of InDesign that remediate CVE-2024-41852. Administrators should deploy the updated builds documented in the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory APSB24-56. Deploy the update through Adobe Creative Cloud desktop management or enterprise software distribution tools.
Workarounds
- Restrict InDesign usage to trusted document sources until patching is completed across the fleet.
- Apply application allowlisting to block InDesign from spawning scripting hosts or command interpreters.
- Run InDesign under standard user accounts rather than administrative accounts to limit the scope of successful exploitation.
# Verify installed Adobe InDesign version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe InDesign 2024/Adobe InDesign 2024.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString
# Verify installed Adobe InDesign version on Windows (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.
