CVE-2023-21599 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-21599 article provides detailed information about the Adobe InCopy Font Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability, including its description, impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-21599

CVE-2023-21599 refers to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Adobe InCopy software versions 18.0 and earlier, as well as 17.4 and earlier. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to access sensitive memory, potentially leading to information disclosure. Exploiting this vulnerability requires user interaction, as the victim must open a malicious file that triggers the issue.

What is CVE-2023-21599?

The CVE-2023-21599 vulnerability in Adobe InCopy is classified as an Out-of-bounds Read (CWE-125) issue. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to bypass certain mitigations like ASLR, compromising the confidentiality of sensitive data without requiring privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21599

The impact of CVE-2023-21599 is classified as medium severity. The vulnerability could result in the disclosure of sensitive information stored in the application's memory, potentially leading to further security breaches or unauthorized access to data. As the attack vector is local and user interaction is required, the risk of exploitation is moderate but still poses a threat to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21599

The following technical details outline the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Adobe InCopy allows for an out-of-bounds read, enabling an attacker to access memory beyond the boundaries of the intended storage. This could lead to the exposure of sensitive information stored in memory, compromising the confidentiality of data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe InCopy versions 18.0 and earlier, along with 17.4 and earlier, are confirmed to be affected by CVE-2023-21599. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation unless appropriate measures are taken to address the vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting the CVE-2023-21599 vulnerability requires a user to interact with a malicious file embedded with the exploit code. By opening this file within the vulnerable Adobe InCopy software, an attacker could trigger the vulnerability, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-21599, immediate steps should be taken to secure affected systems and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply security updates provided by Adobe to patch the vulnerability. Additionally, caution should be exercised when opening files from untrusted sources to prevent potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing sound security practices, such as regular software updates, security monitoring, and user awareness training, can help enhance the overall security posture of systems and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released security updates to address the CVE-2023-21599 vulnerability. Users are strongly encouraged to install the provided patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation and safeguard their systems from potential security threats.