CVE-2025-47136 Overview
CVE-2025-47136 is an integer underflow vulnerability [CWE-191] affecting Adobe InDesign Desktop versions 19.5.3 and earlier. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically opening a maliciously crafted InDesign file. Adobe published the corresponding security advisory under bulletin APSB25-60. The vulnerability impacts InDesign installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS platforms.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user opening the malicious document, enabling full compromise of user data and stored credentials.
Affected Products
- Adobe InDesign Desktop 19.5.3 and earlier
- Apple macOS (InDesign installations)
- Microsoft Windows (InDesign installations)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-47136 published to NVD
- 2025-07-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-47136
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified as an integer underflow, also known as wrap or wraparound [CWE-191]. InDesign performs arithmetic on an unsigned integer value that drops below its minimum representable value. The result wraps to a large positive number, corrupting subsequent size or offset calculations. Downstream memory operations then read or write outside the intended buffer, enabling control of program flow and arbitrary code execution.
The attack surface is local, meaning the attacker must deliver a malicious .indd or related InDesign file to the victim. Adobe's advisory APSB25-60 confirms the impact extends to arbitrary code execution within the security context of the logged-in user.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of integer arithmetic during parsing of file structure fields inside an InDesign document. When an attacker supplies a crafted size or count field, the resulting underflow bypasses bounds checks. The flawed length is then used to allocate or index into a buffer, producing a memory corruption primitive that an attacker can leverage to hijack execution.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires social engineering. The attacker delivers a malicious InDesign file through email, file sharing, or a compromised website. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable version of InDesign, the parser triggers the integer underflow. The attacker gains code execution at the user's privilege level, which is sufficient to steal documents, deploy ransomware, or establish persistence.
No authentication is required. No code-level proof-of-concept has been published. See the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory for vendor technical references.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47136
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by InDesign.exe or the macOS Adobe InDesign binary, such as command shells, scripting interpreters, or rundll32.exe.
- InDesign processes performing outbound network connections to untrusted hosts shortly after opening a document.
- Newly written executables, scripts, or scheduled tasks created during or immediately after an InDesign session.
- InDesign document files (.indd, .idml) arriving from external email or file-sharing sources and opened by end users.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage for InDesign spawning non-Adobe child processes, which indicates post-exploitation activity.
- Apply file integrity monitoring to user document directories to flag suspicious modifications following InDesign use.
- Inspect email gateways and web proxies for InDesign file types delivered from external senders.
- Correlate crash telemetry from InDesign with subsequent suspicious endpoint behavior to identify failed exploit attempts.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable application crash logging on endpoints running InDesign and forward events to a central SIEM for analysis.
- Track installed InDesign versions across the fleet to identify hosts running 19.5.3 or earlier.
- Alert on anomalous memory or CPU patterns in InDesign processes that may indicate exploitation attempts.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47136
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Adobe InDesign Desktop to the version specified in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-60 on all Windows and macOS endpoints.
- Inventory all systems with InDesign installed and prioritize patching for users who routinely receive external documents.
- Instruct users not to open InDesign files received from untrusted or unexpected sources until patching is complete.
- Restrict execution of InDesign on systems handling sensitive data until the update is deployed.
Patch Information
Adobe released a security update addressing CVE-2025-47136 in bulletin APSB25-60. Administrators should apply the update through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or via enterprise deployment tools. Refer to the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory for fixed version details and deployment guidance.
Workarounds
- Block inbound .indd and .idml attachments at the email gateway until all endpoints are patched.
- Open untrusted InDesign documents only inside an isolated virtual machine or sandboxed environment.
- Apply the principle of least privilege so users running InDesign do not hold administrative rights on their workstations.
# Identify InDesign installations on Windows endpoints
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "*InDesign*" } | Select-Object Name, Version
# Identify InDesign version on macOS endpoints
mdls -name kMDItemVersion "/Applications/Adobe InDesign 2024/Adobe InDesign 2024.app"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
