CVE-2024-41853 Overview
CVE-2024-41853 is a heap-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 attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction: the victim must open a malicious InDesign file crafted by an attacker. Adobe published the fix in security advisory APSB24-56. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-122] Heap-based Buffer Overflow and [CWE-787] Out-of-bounds Write.
Critical Impact
An attacker who convinces a user to open a malicious file can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the InDesign process, leading to full compromise of the user account.
Affected Products
- Adobe InDesign Desktop ID19.4 and earlier
- Adobe InDesign Desktop ID18.5.2 and earlier
- Windows and macOS installations of the affected InDesign versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-08-14 - CVE-2024-41853 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-41853
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe InDesign's file parsing logic. When InDesign processes a specially crafted document, it writes data beyond the bounds of a heap-allocated buffer. This out-of-bounds write corrupts adjacent heap metadata or object pointers used by the application. Attackers who shape the heap layout can redirect control flow to attacker-controlled data. The result is arbitrary code execution in the context of the user running InDesign. Because the vulnerability requires local file processing and user interaction, delivery typically relies on phishing or social engineering. The affected code paths are present on both the Windows and macOS builds of InDesign.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of size or length values during parsing of an InDesign file structure. The parser allocates a heap buffer based on an assumed size and later writes attacker-controlled data past that boundary. This maps to [CWE-122] Heap-based Buffer Overflow and [CWE-787] Out-of-bounds Write. Adobe has not published parser-level technical details beyond the advisory.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a malicious .indd or related InDesign file through email, a shared drive, a website, or a collaboration platform. The victim opens the file in a vulnerable InDesign version, triggering the overflow during document parsing. Code executes with the current user's privileges, enabling credential theft, persistence, or lateral movement.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. See the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory APSB24-56 for vendor-level detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-41853
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by InDesign.exe on Windows or Adobe InDesign on macOS, particularly shells, scripting hosts, or LOLBins
- InDesign process crashes or heap corruption exceptions logged close in time to opening a document from an external source
- InDesign files (.indd, .indt, .idml) delivered from untrusted email senders, external file shares, or unusual URLs
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for InDesign spawning cmd.exe, powershell.exe, wscript.exe, bash, osascript, or other interpreters that indicate post-exploitation activity
- Alert on outbound network connections initiated by the InDesign process to non-Adobe domains
- Correlate document open events with subsequent file writes to user-writable persistence locations such as Startup folders, LaunchAgents, or LaunchDaemons
Monitoring Recommendations
- Inventory InDesign installations across the fleet and flag hosts running versions at or below ID19.4 and ID18.5.2
- Ingest endpoint process, file, and network telemetry into a central data lake to enable retrospective hunts for suspicious InDesign child processes
- Track email and web gateway logs for delivery of InDesign document types from external senders
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-41853
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Adobe InDesign to the fixed versions listed in Adobe advisory APSB24-56 on all Windows and macOS endpoints
- Restrict opening of InDesign documents originating from untrusted email, external file shares, or unknown URLs until patching is complete
- Verify the deployed InDesign version through software inventory and remove or isolate hosts that cannot be patched promptly
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed builds of InDesign for both Windows and macOS. Administrators should apply the updates referenced in the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory APSB24-56 using Creative Cloud Desktop or enterprise deployment tooling. Confirm the running version after update to ensure the vulnerable build is no longer present.
Workarounds
- Block or quarantine inbound .indd, .indt, and .idml attachments at the email gateway until endpoints are patched
- Apply application allowlisting to prevent InDesign from spawning command interpreters or scripting hosts
- Enforce least-privilege user accounts so that successful exploitation does not yield administrative rights
# Example: identify InDesign installations on Windows via PowerShell inventory
Get-CimInstance Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -like 'Adobe InDesign*' } | Select-Object Name, Version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
