📄 Description (English)
InDesign Desktop versions 21.0, 19.5.5 and earlier are affected by an Access of Uninitialized Pointer vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
Adobe InDesign versions 21.0, 19.5.5 and earlier contain an uninitialized pointer vulnerability (CWE-824) that could allow arbitrary code execution when users open malicious files. With a CVSS score of 7.8, this poses a significant risk to organizations using InDesign for document design and publishing workflows. While no public exploit is currently available, the vulnerability requires only user interaction, making it a moderate-to-high threat requiring prompt patching.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 28, 2026 14:07
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi organizations in creative industries, government communications, media, and publishing sectors are most at risk. Government agencies (particularly those under NCA oversight) using InDesign for official document creation, media organizations, and design firms are primary targets. Financial institutions and ARAMCO subsidiaries using InDesign for marketing materials and reports face elevated risk. The attack vector requires user interaction, making social engineering campaigns targeting designers and communications staff particularly effective in the Saudi context.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Media and Publishing
Government Communications
Creative Industries and Design
Marketing and Advertising
Financial Services
Energy (ARAMCO subsidiaries)
Telecommunications
Education and Research
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
Immediate Actions:
1. Identify all InDesign installations across the organization using asset management tools
2. Restrict file sharing and email attachments containing InDesign files (.indd, .idml) from untrusted sources
3. Disable InDesign plugins from unknown vendors
4. Implement application whitelisting for InDesign processes
Patching Guidance:
1. Update to InDesign version 21.1 or later immediately
2. For version 19.x users, update to 19.5.6 or later
3. Test patches in non-production environments before enterprise deployment
4. Prioritize patching for users who frequently receive external design files
Compensating Controls:
1. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor InDesign process behavior
2. Implement file sandboxing for suspicious .indd files before opening
3. Use network segmentation to limit lateral movement if code execution occurs
4. Enable Windows Defender Application Guard or similar isolation technology
Detection Rules:
1. Monitor for InDesign process spawning unexpected child processes (cmd.exe, powershell.exe, rundll32.exe)
2. Alert on InDesign accessing unusual registry keys or system directories
3. Track InDesign network connections to non-standard ports
4. Monitor for abnormal memory access patterns in InDesign processes
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع تثبيتات InDesign عبر المنظمة باستخدام أدوات إدارة الأصول
2. تقييد مشاركة الملفات والمرفقات البريدية التي تحتوي على ملفات InDesign من مصادر غير موثوقة
3. تعطيل إضافات InDesign من بائعين غير معروفين
4. تطبيق القائمة البيضاء للتطبيقات لعمليات InDesign
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. التحديث إلى إصدار InDesign 21.1 أو أحدث فوراً
2. لمستخدمي الإصدار 19.x، التحديث إلى 19.5.6 أو أحدث
3. اختبار التصحيحات في بيئات غير الإنتاج قبل النشر على مستوى المؤسسة
4. إعطاء الأولوية للتصحيح للمستخدمين الذين يتلقون ملفات تصميم خارجية بشكل متكرر
الضوابط البديلة:
1. نشر حلول الكشف والاستجابة على نقطة النهاية (EDR) لمراقبة سلوك عملية InDesign
2. تطبيق عزل الملفات للملفات المريبة قبل الفتح
3. استخدام تقسيم الشبكة لتحديد الحركة الجانبية في حالة تنفيذ الكود
4. تفعيل Windows Defender Application Guard أو تقنية عزل مماثلة
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة عملية InDesign التي تولد عمليات فرعية غير متوقعة (cmd.exe, powershell.exe, rundll32.exe)
2. التنبيه على InDesign الوصول إلى مفاتيح التسجيل أو مجلدات النظام غير العادية
3. تتبع اتصالات شبكة InDesign إلى منافذ غير قياسية
4. مراقبة أنماط الوصول إلى الذاكرة غير الطبيعية في عمليات InDesign
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies and procedures
A.8.1.1 - User endpoint devices security
A.12.2.1 - Change management procedures
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.RA-1 - Asset management and vulnerability identification
PR.IP-12 - Software development and acquisition security
DE.CM-8 - Vulnerability scans and assessments
RS.MI-2 - Incident response and recovery procedures
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.12.2.1 - Change management
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
A.16.1.5 - Response to information security incidents
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
6.2 - Security patches and updates
6.1 - Vulnerability management program
11.2 - Vulnerability scanning
🔗 References & Sources 1
📦 Affected Products / CPE 2 entries
adobe:indesign
adobe:indesign