CVE-2015-3112 in Photoshop CC
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop CC before 16.0 (aka 2015.0.0) and Adobe Bridge CC before 6.11 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
Adobe Photoshop CC version 16.0 and earlier, along with Adobe Bridge CC version 6.11 and earlier, contain a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in Adobe's creative suite applications that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt normal operations. The memory corruption issue manifests when processing specially crafted files or data inputs, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected applications. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these applications are widely used in creative workflows and often process untrusted file formats from various sources. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these applications are commonly used for handling sensitive design files and media assets. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple entry points within the applications could be exploited, making the vulnerability particularly difficult to defend against comprehensively. Organizations using these affected versions should prioritize immediate remediation efforts, as the risk of exploitation remains high given the widespread adoption of these applications across creative industries and enterprise environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating memory structures through crafted input data that causes the applications to behave unpredictably. When Photoshop or Bridge processes malformed files or data streams, the memory corruption can lead to stack or heap corruption, which may result in controlled code execution or application crashes. Attackers could leverage this weakness by delivering malicious files to unsuspecting users who open them with the vulnerable applications, making social engineering a potential attack vector. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution, indicates that it represents a legitimate pathway for attackers to gain persistent access to target systems. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is particularly challenging to detect and prevent because it often manifests only when specific conditions are met during file processing. The lack of specific details about the exact attack vectors in the CVE description suggests that Adobe may have identified multiple potential paths of exploitation, each requiring different approaches to remediation. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they often require minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making them ideal for targeted attacks against specific organizations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop and Bridge, which contain patches addressing this vulnerability. The recommended remediation strategy involves deploying automated patch management systems to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies can help prevent execution of unauthorized code, while network segmentation can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to these vulnerabilities, including unusual network traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts. Regular security assessments of creative workflow environments are essential to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Adobe applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security testing in software development processes. Organizations should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for processing untrusted files, particularly in environments where creative applications handle sensitive or external media assets. Incident response procedures should be updated to include specific protocols for handling potential exploitation attempts related to this vulnerability, ensuring rapid containment and remediation. The broader implications of this vulnerability underscore the need for continuous vulnerability management and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all enterprise applications.