CVE-2009-3489 in Photoshop Elements
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.0 installs the Adobe Active File Monitor V8 service with an insecure security descriptor, which allows local users to (1) stop the service via the stop command, (2) execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM by using the config command to modify the binPath variable, or (3) restart the service via the start command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2025
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.0 contains a critical privilege escalation vulnerability through its Adobe Active File Monitor V8 service installation. This service is deployed with an insecure security descriptor that fundamentally compromises the system's integrity and security posture. The vulnerability stems from improper access control configuration where the service's security descriptor grants excessive permissions to local users, creating a pathway for unauthorized system manipulation.
The technical flaw manifests through three distinct attack vectors that leverage the service control manager interface. Local attackers can execute the stop command to halt the Adobe Active File Monitor V8 service, effectively disrupting legitimate system operations. More critically, the vulnerability allows arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM through the config command, which permits modification of the binPath variable that defines the service executable path. This configuration change enables attackers to redirect service execution to malicious binaries, while the restart command provides the capability to re-enable the compromised service with elevated privileges. The combination of these three commands creates a complete privilege escalation attack vector that can be exploited without requiring network access or specialized tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure. When an attacker successfully modifies the binPath variable and restarts the service, they can execute malicious code with SYSTEM-level privileges, effectively bypassing all user-level security controls and access restrictions. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be used to install rootkits, modify system files, or establish backdoors. The vulnerability affects all local users on the system, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where legitimate users might have access to the system. The insecure service installation represents a classic example of improper privilege management and inadequate security configuration, which directly violates security best practices and industry standards.
This vulnerability aligns with multiple CWE categories including CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and CWE-78, which covers OS command injection vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, the vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques such as service execution and registry modification, while also enabling persistent access through the modified service configuration. The attack chain follows T1059 for command execution and T1543 for service creation or modification, demonstrating how a single insecure service installation can enable multiple attack phases. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including service security descriptor hardening, privilege restriction for service control commands, and regular security auditing of installed services. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper service configuration management and highlights the critical need for security-conscious software installation practices that prevent unnecessary privilege escalation opportunities.