CVE-2019-7094 in Photoshop CC
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop CC 19.1.7 and earlier, and 20.0.2 and earlier have a heap corruption vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2020
Adobe Photoshop contains a heap corruption vulnerability that affects versions 19.1.7 and earlier, as well as 20.0.2 and earlier releases. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation when processing specific image file formats, particularly those containing malformed metadata or embedded scripts. The flaw occurs during the parsing of image headers and embedded content where the application fails to properly validate buffer boundaries before copying data into heap-allocated memory regions. This inadequate memory management creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious image files that trigger buffer overflow conditions when opened within the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-787, out-of-bounds write, which are common entry points for privilege escalation attacks. When exploited, the heap corruption allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow or injecting malicious code into the application's address space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal user interaction with image files, making it an ideal candidate for social engineering attacks where victims unknowingly open maliciously crafted files. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7094 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a critical vector for advanced persistent threats and zero-day exploitation campaigns. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability can be effectively weaponized through file format manipulation techniques, particularly targeting image files that are commonly shared in email attachments, file sharing platforms, and collaborative work environments where Photoshop is frequently used. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the widespread adoption of Adobe Photoshop across creative industries, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise professional workstations. Organizations using affected versions of Photoshop face significant risk of data breaches, malware deployment, and unauthorized access to sensitive creative assets and intellectual property.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7094 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Adobe's security updates, as the vendor has released patches addressing the heap corruption issue in subsequent versions of Photoshop. System administrators should implement additional protective measures including email filtering rules that block suspicious image file attachments, network-based intrusion detection systems that monitor for exploitation attempts, and user education programs that emphasize the importance of verifying file sources before opening. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, which describes how attackers use application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of untrusted image files and establish network segmentation to limit the potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify other potential entry points within the organization's creative workflow environments.