CVE-2017-11304 in Photoshop
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Adobe Photoshop 18.1.1 (2017.1.1) and earlier versions. An exploitable use-after-free vulnerability exists. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11304 represents a critical security flaw in Adobe Photoshop versions 18.1.1 and earlier, classified as a use-after-free vulnerability that poses significant risks to system security and integrity. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory locations after they have been freed, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the memory management flaw for code execution. The issue stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes within the software's processing pipeline, particularly when handling specific file formats or data structures that trigger the flawed memory management sequence.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific memory access pattern where the application allocates memory for certain data structures, processes them through various operations, and then frees the memory while still maintaining references to it. When a crafted file or data input triggers the application to access this freed memory location, the program may execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Photoshop. This use-after-free condition falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of memory after it has been freed, and represents a well-documented class of vulnerabilities that frequently leads to remote code execution exploits. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through user interaction with maliciously crafted files, making it a prime target for social engineering attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11304 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass full system compromise capabilities, as demonstrated by the potential for arbitrary code execution within the context of the Photoshop application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads, install backdoors, or establish persistent access to compromised systems, making it a significant threat to enterprise security environments. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on Photoshop for graphic design and image processing workflows, where the application may be used to process files from untrusted sources. According to ATT&CK framework methodology, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the initial exploitation can lead to broader system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Adobe Photoshop installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies and restrict user access to potentially malicious file formats, particularly those that may trigger the vulnerable code paths within the application. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to exploitation attempts and consider implementing application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of untrusted code. Additionally, network segmentation and endpoint protection measures can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all Photoshop installations have been properly updated and patched. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive security practices to protect against memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.