CVE-2025-47097 Overview
CVE-2025-47097 is an integer underflow vulnerability [CWE-191] affecting Adobe InCopy versions 20.3, 19.5.3, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a crafted file. Adobe assigned this issue High severity with a CVSS score of 7.8. Exploitation requires user interaction because the victim must open a malicious InCopy document. The vulnerability impacts InCopy installations on both Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows platforms. Adobe addressed the issue in security bulletin APSB25-59.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants attackers code execution with the privileges of the current user, enabling malware installation, data theft, and lateral movement.
Affected Products
- Adobe InCopy version 20.3 and earlier
- Adobe InCopy version 19.5.3 and earlier
- Installations running on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-47097 published to NVD
- 2025-07-11 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-47097
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is an integer underflow, also known as wrap or wraparound, classified under [CWE-191]. Integer underflow occurs when an arithmetic operation produces a value lower than the minimum representable value for the integer type. The result wraps around to a large positive value, corrupting subsequent calculations.
In InCopy, this miscalculation likely feeds into memory allocation or buffer size logic during parsing of a document file. Downstream code then trusts the corrupted size value, leading to undersized buffer allocation followed by oversized writes. The resulting memory corruption gives an attacker control over execution flow within the InCopy process.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient validation of arithmetic operations on size or length fields read from an InCopy document. When attacker-controlled values trigger subtraction below zero, the unsigned integer wraps to a very large number. Adobe has not published the specific file parser or routine involved.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts a malicious InCopy file and delivers it through email, file sharing, or a compromised website. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable InCopy build, the underflow triggers and arbitrary code executes with the victim's privileges. No elevated privileges are required prior to exploitation.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-59 for vendor-provided technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47097
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by InCopy.exe or the macOS InCopy binary, particularly command shells, scripting engines, or rundll32.exe.
- Inbound InCopy document files (.icml, .icma, .icmt, .incx) arriving from untrusted email senders or file-sharing links.
- Crashes or abnormal terminations of InCopy logged in Windows Event Log or macOS unified logs immediately after opening a document.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage for InCopy spawning interpreters such as powershell.exe, cmd.exe, wscript.exe, osascript, or bash.
- Inspect file write activity by the InCopy process to autorun, startup, and persistence locations on Windows and macOS.
- Apply YARA or content rules to scan InCopy documents in mail gateways and file shares for anomalous structure or oversized length fields.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable endpoint telemetry for module loads, process creation, and outbound network connections originating from InCopy.
- Track installed InCopy versions across the fleet and alert on hosts running 20.3, 19.5.3, or earlier builds.
- Correlate document open events with subsequent suspicious child processes within a short time window.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47097
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Adobe-supplied updates referenced in APSB25-59 to all InCopy installations on Windows and macOS.
- Inventory endpoints with InCopy installed and prioritize patching of hosts handling externally sourced documents.
- Instruct users to avoid opening InCopy documents from untrusted email, messaging, or web sources until patches are deployed.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed builds of Adobe InCopy in security bulletin APSB25-59. Administrators should update to the versions listed in the advisory using the Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tooling. Full details are available in the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-59.
Workarounds
- Block inbound InCopy file types at email gateways and web proxies when business workflows permit.
- Restrict InCopy execution to users with standard, non-administrative privileges to limit post-exploitation impact.
- Use application allowlisting to prevent InCopy from launching scripting interpreters or unsigned binaries as child processes.
# Example: detect outdated InCopy installations on Windows endpoints
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "*InCopy*" } |
Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, InstallLocation
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
