Overview
A recent vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-43593, has been discovered in the popular design software InDesign Desktop. This vulnerability affects versions ID20.2, ID19.5.3 and earlier. The issue could lead to an out-of-bounds write situation that, in turn, could enable arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. This exploit is particularly concerning due to its potential for system compromise and unauthorized data access, resulting in significant risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of user data and systems.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-43593
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Severity Score)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential for system compromise and data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
InDesign Desktop | ID20.2 and earlier
InDesign Desktop | ID19.5.3 and earlier
How the Exploit Works
The exploit takes advantage of an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the InDesign Desktop software. An attacker would need to create a malicious file and convince the user to open it using the vulnerable software version. Upon opening the file, the software incorrectly handles memory operations, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. This can lead to unauthorized access to system resources and potential data leakage.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual example of how the malicious file might be structured:
$ echo "malicious_code" > exploit_file.iddWhere “malicious_code” represents the arbitrary code that an attacker wants to execute. This file would then be sent to the victim, who upon opening it with a vulnerable version of InDesign Desktop, would trigger the exploit.
To mitigate this vulnerability, users are advised to apply the vendor-supplied patch or use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as a temporary mitigation measure. Keeping your software updated to the latest version is always a good practice to prevent falling victim to such exploits.