CVE-2007-2244 in Adobe
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Adobe Photoshop CS2 and CS3, Illustrator CS3, and GoLive 9 allow user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) BMP, (2) DIB, or (3) RLE file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
Adobe Photoshop CS2 and CS3, Illustrator CS3, and GoLive 9 contain multiple buffer overflow vulnerabilities that arise from insufficient input validation when processing specific image file formats. These vulnerabilities specifically affect the handling of BMP, DIB, and RLE file formats, creating exploitable conditions that can be triggered by maliciously crafted files. The buffer overflows occur during the parsing of image headers and pixel data structures, where the software fails to properly validate the size parameters before allocating memory buffers. This flaw represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that falls under CWE-121, which describes the condition where a program writes data past the end of a fixed-length buffer. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote code execution when users open maliciously crafted files, as the attacker only needs to convince the victim to open a specially crafted image file. The attack vector is user-assisted remote exploitation, meaning the vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically but requires some form of social engineering to get the target to open the malicious file. These vulnerabilities are also categorized under the ATT&CK framework as part of the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution technique, where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities in software applications to execute arbitrary code on victim systems. The technical impact of these buffer overflows extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources or execute commands with elevated privileges. The memory corruption resulting from these buffer overflows can be leveraged to overwrite critical program execution pointers, return addresses, or other memory structures, fundamentally compromising the integrity of the affected applications. When exploited, these vulnerabilities can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or the installation of additional malicious software. The exploitation requires careful crafting of the malicious file format to ensure that the buffer overflow occurs at a specific memory location that can be controlled to redirect program execution flow. The affected Adobe applications process these image formats in a manner that does not properly validate the size and structure of the input data, creating predictable memory layout conditions that attackers can exploit. The vulnerability affects multiple Adobe products simultaneously, indicating a common codebase or shared libraries that handle image file processing, which increases the attack surface and impact scope. These vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open files from untrusted sources, making them prime targets for targeted attacks and phishing campaigns. The lack of proper bounds checking and input validation in the image processing pipelines demonstrates a fundamental security weakness in the software development practices of the affected applications. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities can result in persistent backdoors, data exfiltration, or complete system takeover, making them high-priority targets for security remediation. Organizations should prioritize patching these vulnerabilities immediately, as they represent significant risks to system integrity and user security, particularly in environments where Adobe applications are widely used for document processing and image manipulation tasks.