CVE-2018-15980 in Photoshop CC
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop CC versions 19.1.6 and earlier have an out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2023
Adobe Photoshop CC versions 19.1.6 and earlier contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for users handling sensitive visual content. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions where an application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests when Photoshop processes certain image files that contain malformed or maliciously crafted data structures, particularly within the handling of specific file formats or metadata components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application's image parsing routines fail to properly validate input data boundaries before accessing memory segments. When processing specially crafted image files, the software attempts to read memory locations that extend beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059, as it can be triggered through user interaction with malicious files. The out-of-bounds read condition allows attackers to potentially extract confidential data such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other sensitive information that may reside in the application's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gather intelligence about the system's memory layout, application state, or other sensitive data that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects users who regularly process images from untrusted sources, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where graphic design workflows often involve external file exchanges. Organizations using older versions of Photoshop without proper patch management procedures face increased risk of data breaches or system compromise through this vector.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment to Adobe Photoshop CC version 20.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures and consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms for image processing workflows. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or file format anomalies. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted image files and encouraged to maintain updated software versions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices, aligning with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for preventing buffer overflow and memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management solutions to ensure timely remediation of similar vulnerabilities across their software portfolio.