CVE-2025-43592 Overview
CVE-2025-43592 affects Adobe InDesign Desktop versions 19.5.3 and earlier. The vulnerability is an Access of Uninitialized Pointer flaw [CWE-824] that can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction: a victim must open a crafted malicious file in InDesign.
Adobe published a security advisory addressing the issue and released an updated build. The flaw impacts both Windows and macOS installations of InDesign Desktop.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution under the privileges of the logged-on user, enabling installation of malware, data theft, or lateral movement from a single opened document.
Affected Products
- Adobe InDesign Desktop versions 19.5.3 and earlier
- Microsoft Windows installations of Adobe InDesign
- Apple macOS installations of Adobe InDesign
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-43592 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-43592
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability falls under [CWE-824]: Access of Uninitialized Pointer. Adobe InDesign reads or dereferences a pointer before the underlying object has been properly initialized. When an attacker controls the surrounding memory state through a crafted document, that uninitialized pointer can be steered toward attacker-controlled data.
Dereferencing an attacker-influenced pointer during document parsing allows control over program flow. The result is arbitrary code execution inside the InDesign process, inheriting the privileges of the current user.
The attack vector is local and the attack complexity is low, but user interaction is required. A document crafted to trigger the uninitialized pointer path delivers the payload at file-open time. No elevated privileges are needed by the attacker prior to execution.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper initialization of an internal pointer used during file parsing. Specific object fields are referenced along code paths that the malicious document forces InDesign to take, before those fields are set to valid values. The uninitialized memory contents determine the destination of the resulting indirect call or write.
Attack Vector
An attacker delivers a malicious .indd or related InDesign document through email, file share, or web download. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable InDesign version, the parser triggers the uninitialized pointer access. Code execution then occurs in the InDesign process context. Technical details are limited to Adobe's advisory; see the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory APSB25-60.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43592
Indicators of Compromise
- InDesign processes (InDesign.exe on Windows, Adobe InDesign on macOS) spawning command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, bash, or osascript.
- Unexpected child processes or network connections initiated from InDesign immediately after a document is opened.
- InDesign processes writing executable files, scripts, or scheduled task definitions to user-writable directories.
Detection Strategies
- Hunt for InDesign processes loading unsigned DLLs or dylibs from user-writable paths.
- Alert on InDesign crashes followed by anomalous child process creation, which can indicate exploitation of the uninitialized pointer condition.
- Correlate document-open events from email or browser downloads with subsequent suspicious process activity.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for InDesign versions at or below 19.5.3 and flag those hosts as exposed.
- Capture process creation, image load, and network telemetry from InDesign for behavioral analysis.
- Review email and web gateway logs for inbound InDesign file types delivered from untrusted sources.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43592
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe InDesign Desktop to the version specified in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-60.
- Inventory all endpoints running InDesign and prioritize patching workstations used by design and editorial teams.
- Instruct users not to open InDesign documents from untrusted or unverified sources until patching completes.
Patch Information
Adobe addressed CVE-2025-43592 in the InDesign update documented in security bulletin APSB25-60. Versions after 19.5.3 contain the fix for the uninitialized pointer access. Apply the update through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling.
Workarounds
- Restrict opening of InDesign documents to files originating from trusted internal sources.
- Run InDesign under standard user accounts rather than administrative accounts to limit post-exploitation impact.
- Apply application allowlisting to prevent InDesign from launching unexpected child processes such as shells or scripting hosts.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
