Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Lifecycle Timeline
1DescriptionNVD
InDesign Desktop versions 21.3, 20.5.3 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write 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.
AnalysisAI
Arbitrary code execution in Adobe InDesign Desktop 21.3, 20.5.3 and earlier allows attackers to run code as the logged-in user when a victim opens a maliciously crafted document file. The flaw is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) memory corruption issue requiring user interaction, and no public exploit has been identified at time of analysis.
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Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata
Vulnerability AssessmentAI
| Exploitation | Exploitation requires the victim to open a malicious InDesign-format file (such as INDD or IDML) in a vulnerable Adobe InDesign Desktop installation at version 21.3, 20.5.3 or earlier; the CVSS vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R confirms local attack vector with mandatory user interaction and no pre-existing authentication on the target. … Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment. |
| Risk Assessment | The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 reflects local attack vector (AV:L) with low complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but mandatory user interaction (UI:R) - meaning a user must be socially engineered into opening a malicious file, which materially reduces opportunistic mass exploitation potential despite the High impact across confidentiality, integrity and availability. … Full risk analysis with EPSS, KEV, and SSVC signal comparison available after sign-in. |
| Exploit Scenario | An attacker crafts a malicious InDesign document containing a malformed structure that triggers the out-of-bounds write during parsing, then delivers it via spear-phishing email to a designer or marketing employee - for example, posing as a freelance contributor submitting layout assets. When the victim double-clicks the file and InDesign opens it, the memory corruption is triggered and the attacker's shellcode executes with the user's privileges, enabling credential theft, lateral movement, or ransomware deployment. … |
| Remediation | Apply the patch available per vendor advisory APSB26-58 at https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/indesign/apsb26-58.html, updating Adobe InDesign Desktop beyond the affected 21.3 and 20.5.3 branches via the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application; exact fixed version numbers should be taken directly from that bulletin. … Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report. |
Recommended ActionAI
24 hours: Inventory all Adobe InDesign Desktop installations (versions 21.3 and earlier); disable the application for non-critical users; alert users to avoid opening design files from external or untrusted sources. …
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External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today
EUVD-2026-35774
GHSA-pqhm-q8q5-gvfx