CVE-2019-7968 in Photoshop CC
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop CC versions 19.1.8 and earlier and 20.0.5 and earlier have a command injection vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2020
Adobe Photoshop CC versions 19.1.8 and earlier and 20.0.5 and earlier contain a command injection vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the software's handling of user input. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws where an attacker can execute arbitrary commands through improperly sanitized input. The vulnerability exists within the application's processing of certain file formats or user-provided data that is subsequently interpreted as system commands rather than being properly escaped or validated.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious file or input that contains shell commands which are then executed by Photoshop when processing the file. This typically happens during the parsing of image files or other media formats that Photoshop supports, where the application fails to properly sanitize input parameters before using them in system calls or shell operations. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Photoshop, potentially enabling attackers to gain full control over the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across multiple threat scenarios. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code, install malware, modify system configurations, or establish persistence mechanisms within the target environment. The vulnerability affects both the 19.x and 20.x release lines of Photoshop, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple versions and suggesting that the underlying code flaw was not properly addressed in the software's input validation mechanisms. This represents a significant risk for organizations that rely on Photoshop for graphic design work, as attackers could exploit this vulnerability through seemingly benign image files or documents.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop where the vulnerability has been patched, as well as implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute malicious commands. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of software environments. Security teams should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous command execution behaviors indicative of command injection attacks, as well as ensuring that users receive proper security training on avoiding potentially malicious files.