CVE-2025-54213: Adobe InDesign RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-54213 Overview

CVE-2025-54213 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] in Adobe InDesign Desktop. The flaw affects InDesign Desktop versions 20.4, 19.5.4, and earlier on both Windows and macOS. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The attack requires local access and user interaction, specifically opening a malicious InDesign file. Adobe addressed the issue in security advisory APSB25-79.

Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary code on a victim system when a user opens a crafted InDesign document, leading to full compromise of the current user account.

Affected Products

Adobe InDesign Desktop 20.4 and earlier
Adobe InDesign Desktop 19.5.4 and earlier
Windows and macOS platforms running affected InDesign builds

Discovery Timeline

2025-08-12 - CVE-2025-54213 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-54213

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write [CWE-787] in Adobe InDesign Desktop's file parsing logic. When InDesign processes a malformed document, the application writes data past the boundary of an allocated buffer. This memory corruption can be steered to overwrite adjacent structures such as function pointers or heap metadata. An attacker who controls the contents of the malicious file can convert the corruption into arbitrary code execution. The executed code runs with the privileges of the user who opened the document.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of size or offset values used during document parsing. InDesign trusts attacker-controlled fields in the file format and writes to memory based on those values without bounds enforcement. This pattern is consistent with parser bugs in complex binary document formats. Adobe has not released technical specifics about the affected component beyond the advisory.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local user interaction. The victim must open a malicious .indd or related InDesign file delivered through email attachments, file shares, cloud collaboration tools, or web downloads. The attack vector is local, but the delivery channel is often network-based social engineering. No authentication or elevated privileges are required on the target system.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Refer to the Adobe InDesign Security Advisory APSB25-79 for vendor guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54213

Indicators of Compromise

InDesign processes (InDesign.exe on Windows, Adobe InDesign on macOS) spawning unexpected child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or shell interpreters
Untrusted .indd, .idml, or .indt files arriving through email or web downloads and being opened immediately
Unexpected outbound network connections initiated by the InDesign process after a document is opened
New files written to user Startup, LaunchAgents, or scheduled task directories following InDesign activity

Detection Strategies

Monitor process lineage for InDesign acting as a parent to scripting or living-off-the-land binaries
Alert on InDesign process crashes followed by suspicious activity, which can indicate memory corruption attempts
Inspect email and file-sharing gateways for InDesign documents sourced from untrusted senders
Singularity Endpoint applies behavioral AI to identify post-exploitation activity such as code execution chains originating from document handlers like InDesign

Monitoring Recommendations

Centralize endpoint telemetry covering process creation, file writes, and network connections from Adobe applications
Track installed InDesign versions across the fleet and flag hosts running builds at or below 20.4 and 19.5.4
Review user reports of InDesign crashes or freezes when opening external documents as potential exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54213

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe InDesign Desktop to the fixed versions identified in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-79
Inventory all endpoints running InDesign and prioritize patching for users who handle external documents
Block or quarantine InDesign file attachments from untrusted external senders at the email gateway
Instruct users to avoid opening InDesign files received from unknown or unverified sources

Patch Information

Adobe released fixed builds of InDesign Desktop as part of security advisory APSB25-79. Administrators should deploy the updates through Adobe Creative Cloud or enterprise software distribution channels. Confirm the installed version on each endpoint after patching to ensure remediation.

Workarounds

Restrict InDesign usage to trusted document sources until patches are applied
Run InDesign under a standard user account rather than an administrator account to limit post-exploitation impact
Apply application allowlisting to prevent InDesign from launching unauthorized child processes
Enable attack surface reduction rules that block Office and creative applications from spawning script interpreters