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
1DescriptionCVE.org
InDesign Desktop versions 21.3, 20.5.3 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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 versions 21.3, 20.5.3 and earlier occurs through a heap-based buffer overflow triggered when a victim opens a maliciously crafted file. The flaw runs code in the security context of the current user and requires user interaction, with no public exploit 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 manually open an attacker-supplied malicious file in a vulnerable Adobe InDesign Desktop installation (version 21.3, 20.5.3, or earlier), and the attacker must be able to deliver that file to the victim through a channel they trust (email attachment, shared drive, downloaded asset pack). … Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment. |
| Risk Assessment | The CVSS 3.1 vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H yields 7.8 (High) and accurately reflects a client-side file-parsing bug: local attack vector with required user interaction (opening a malicious document), no privileges needed, and full confidentiality/integrity/availability impact in the user's context. … 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 heap overflow and delivers it to a target designer via email, a shared cloud folder, or a fake client brief on a freelancer marketplace. When the victim opens the file in a vulnerable InDesign Desktop build, the overflow corrupts the heap and executes attacker-controlled shellcode as the logged-in user, enabling credential theft, lateral movement, or deployment of follow-on malware. … |
| Remediation | The primary remediation is to apply the patched InDesign Desktop builds released by Adobe in security bulletin APSB26-58 (https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/indesign/apsb26-58.html); upgrade installations running 21.3, 20.5.3, or earlier to the corresponding fixed versions listed there via the Creative Cloud desktop app. … Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report. |
Recommended ActionAI
Within 24 hours: Inventory all Adobe InDesign Desktop installations documenting affected versions (21.3, 20.5.3 and earlier); alert design and marketing teams to avoid opening .indd/.idml files from external or untrusted sources; disable file preview for InDesign documents in operating system settings. …
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External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today
EUVD-2026-35784
GHSA-2vq7-33x9-h9x9