CVE-2025-43593: Adobe InDesign RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-43593 Overview

CVE-2025-43593 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] affecting Adobe InDesign Desktop versions ID20.2, ID19.5.3, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a crafted file. Adobe published the issue in the APSB25-53 security bulletin covering InDesign on both Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows platforms.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution under the privileges of the user running InDesign, enabling attackers to install programs, modify data, or pivot within the host environment.

Affected Products

Adobe InDesign Desktop ID20.2 and earlier
Adobe InDesign Desktop ID19.5.3 and earlier
Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows installations of the affected versions

Discovery Timeline

2025-06-10 - CVE-2025-43593 published to NVD
2025-06-16 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-43593

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write condition in Adobe InDesign Desktop. InDesign parses complex document formats containing structured records for fonts, images, and embedded objects. When the parser processes a malformed structure, it writes data past the end of an allocated buffer in memory.

The write primitive corrupts adjacent heap or stack memory. Attackers can craft the malicious file so that the corruption overwrites function pointers, object metadata, or return addresses. Once control of execution flow is achieved, attackers execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the InDesign process. Exploitation is local and requires the victim to open the malicious document, typically delivered through email, shared drives, or web downloads.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds checking when InDesign deserializes file-format structures. A length field or index supplied by the document is trusted without validation against the destination buffer size, allowing the writer to step outside the allocation. The condition is classified under [CWE-787], Out-of-Bounds Write.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local with user interaction. An attacker creates a malicious InDesign document .indd, template .indt, or related asset and delivers it through phishing, file sharing, or supply-chain compromise. When the user opens the file in a vulnerable build, the parser triggers the out-of-bounds write and the embedded payload executes. No network access to the victim is required, and no prior privileges on the host are needed.

No public proof-of-concept or exploit code is currently available for CVE-2025-43593. Refer to the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory for the official technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43593

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by InDesign.exe on Windows or Adobe InDesign on macOS, such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, wscript.exe, or /bin/sh.
InDesign process crashes followed by suspicious binary writes to user-writable directories like %APPDATA%, %TEMP%, or ~/Library/Application Support.
Inbound .indd, .indt, .idml, or .indb files received from untrusted senders shortly before anomalous endpoint activity.

Detection Strategies

Hunt for process-lineage anomalies where InDesign is the parent of script interpreters or living-off-the-land binaries.
Inspect endpoint telemetry for memory protection violations or Windows Error Reporting events tied to the InDesign image.
Correlate file open events on InDesign document types with subsequent outbound network connections from the InDesign process.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable command-line and process-creation auditing on workstations where InDesign is installed.
Forward EDR and operating system logs to a central SIEM or data lake to retain context for retrospective hunts.
Track InDesign version inventory continuously and alert on hosts still running builds prior to the patched releases.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43593

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe InDesign to the fixed versions identified in the APSB25-53 bulletin on all macOS and Windows endpoints.
Block or quarantine inbound InDesign document attachments at the email gateway until patching is complete.
Instruct users to avoid opening InDesign files from untrusted or unexpected sources.

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed builds for InDesign Desktop in the APSB25-53 advisory. Administrators should deploy the updated installers through Adobe Creative Cloud or managed software distribution. Full details are available in the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory.

Workarounds

Restrict InDesign usage to non-privileged user accounts to limit the impact of code execution.
Apply application allowlisting to prevent InDesign from spawning script interpreters or unsigned binaries.
Use attachment filtering rules to strip InDesign document formats from external mail until patches are applied.

bash

# Verify installed InDesign version on macOS
mdls -name kMDItemVersion "/Applications/Adobe InDesign 2024/Adobe InDesign 2024.app"

# Verify installed InDesign version on Windows (PowerShell)
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
  Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "Adobe InDesign*" } |
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion