CVE-2025-61818 Overview
CVE-2025-61818 is a Use After Free vulnerability [CWE-416] affecting Adobe InCopy versions 20.5, 19.5.5, and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a maliciously crafted file. The vulnerability impacts InCopy installations on both Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS platforms. Adobe published the issue in security advisory APSB25-107 on November 11, 2025.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user, enabling installation of malware, data theft, or lateral movement from compromised editorial workstations.
Affected Products
- Adobe InCopy version 20.5 and earlier (20.x branch)
- Adobe InCopy version 19.5.5 and earlier (19.x branch)
- Deployments on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-11 - Adobe publishes security advisory APSB25-107
- 2025-11-11 - CVE-2025-61818 published to NVD
- 2025-11-12 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-61818
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a Use After Free condition in Adobe InCopy's file parsing logic. InCopy processes proprietary editorial document formats containing structured object references. When the application frees an internal object during parsing but retains a dangling pointer, subsequent operations dereference invalid memory. Attackers craft document structures that force the application to operate on freed memory regions they have reallocated with controlled data.
Exploitation produces arbitrary code execution in the security context of the user running InCopy. The attack requires local access in the sense that the malicious file must be opened by the victim, but the file itself can be delivered through phishing, shared editorial workflows, or cloud document repositories.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper object lifetime management in InCopy's document parser. The application releases a heap-allocated structure while another code path still holds a reference to it. When that reference is later used, the freed allocation may have been reclaimed by attacker-controlled data, allowing manipulation of virtual function pointers or other control-flow primitives. Adobe has not published low-level technical details for this issue.
Attack Vector
An attacker creates a malicious InCopy document (.icml, .incx, or related format) and delivers it to a target editor or production user. When the victim opens the file, InCopy triggers the Use After Free during parsing. The attacker uses heap grooming to place controlled data into the freed slot, then leverages the dangling reference to redirect execution into a payload. No elevated privileges are needed before exploitation; the resulting code runs as the current user.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-107 for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-61818
Indicators of Compromise
- InCopy (InCopy.exe on Windows, Adobe InCopy on macOS) spawning unexpected child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, bash, or osascript.
- InCopy processes initiating outbound network connections to unfamiliar hosts shortly after a document is opened.
- Unexpected file writes by InCopy to user-writable persistence locations (Startup folders, LaunchAgents, scheduled tasks).
- Crash dumps or Windows Error Reporting events referencing access violations in InCopy modules.
Detection Strategies
- Hunt for parent-child process relationships where InCopy is the parent of shell or scripting interpreters.
- Correlate document-open events with subsequent process creation and network activity from the same user session.
- Inspect inbound email attachments and shared cloud storage for InCopy document types originating from external senders.
- Monitor for module loads from non-standard paths within the InCopy process space.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable command-line and process creation logging (Windows Event ID 4688 with command line, macOS Endpoint Security ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_EXEC).
- Forward endpoint telemetry to a centralized analytics platform and alert on InCopy anomalies.
- Track InCopy version inventory across endpoints to confirm patch deployment status.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-61818
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe InCopy to the fixed versions identified in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-107.
- Inventory all macOS and Windows endpoints running InCopy 20.5 or 19.5.5 and earlier, and prioritize editorial and production workstations.
- Instruct users to avoid opening InCopy files received from untrusted or unverified sources until patching is complete.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed builds for both the 20.x and 19.x branches of InCopy. Apply the updates through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or via enterprise deployment tooling. Refer to Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-107 for the specific fixed version numbers and download links.
Workarounds
- Block InCopy document attachments at the email gateway when senders are external or unverified.
- Restrict execution of Adobe Creative Cloud applications to users with a documented business need.
- Apply application allowlisting to prevent InCopy from spawning interpreters such as powershell.exe, cmd.exe, or osascript.
- Enforce least privilege so that exploitation cannot escalate beyond the standard user context.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
