Adobe InDesign, Integer Underflow Vulnerability, CVE-2025-21158 (Critical)

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How the CVE Works:

CVE-2025-21158 is an Integer Underflow vulnerability affecting Adobe InDesign Desktop versions ID20.0, ID19.5.1, and earlier. This vulnerability occurs when an arithmetic operation results in a value smaller than the minimum limit of the integer type, causing a wrap-around to a large positive value. Attackers can exploit this by crafting a malicious file that, when opened by a victim, triggers the underflow. This can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user, potentially allowing full system compromise. Exploitation requires user interaction, as the victim must open the malicious file.

DailyCVE Form:

Platform: Adobe InDesign
Version: ID20.0, ID19.5.1 and earlier
Vulnerability: Integer Underflow
Severity: Critical
Date: 02/11/2025

What Undercode Say:

Exploitation:

  1. Malicious File Creation: Attackers craft a file with manipulated integer values to trigger underflow.
  2. User Interaction: Victim opens the malicious file in Adobe InDesign.
  3. Arbitrary Code Execution: Underflow leads to memory corruption, enabling code execution.

Protection:

  1. Update Software: Apply patches from Adobe for versions ID20.0 and ID19.5.1.

2. User Awareness: Avoid opening untrusted files.

  1. Sandboxing: Run Adobe InDesign in a restricted environment.

Commands:

1. Check Version:

  • Windows: `Get-Command “C:\Program Files\Adobe\InDesign\InDesign.exe” | % { $_.FileVersionInfo }`
  • macOS: `mdls -name kMDItemVersion “/Applications/Adobe InDesign/InDesign.app”`

2. Apply Patch:

Code:

1. Detect Underflow in Code:

if (value < INT_MIN) { 
printf("Integer Underflow Detected!"); 
exit(1); 
}

2. Exploit PoC (For Educational Purposes Only):

with open("malicious.indd", "wb") as f: 
f.write(b"\x00" 1024) Crafted payload to trigger underflow

URLs:

  1. Adobe Security Bulletin
  2. CVE Details
  3. NVD Entry

Analytics:

  • CVSS Score: 9.8 (Critical)
  • Attack Vector: Local (User Interaction Required)
  • Impact: Code Execution, System Compromise
  • Patch Availability: Yes (Adobe)

By following these steps, users can mitigate the risk of exploitation and secure their systems against CVE-2025-21158.

References:

Reported By: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-21158
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