CVE-2019-7976 in Photoshop CC
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop CC versions 19.1.8 and earlier and 20.0.5 and earlier have an out of bound write 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 critical out of bounds write vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for users of the software. This flaw exists within the image processing engine responsible for handling various file formats and operations within the application. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking mechanisms when processing specially crafted image files or malformed data structures. When a maliciously constructed file is opened or processed within Photoshop, the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions in software applications. This weakness enables attackers to potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations, which could contain critical program data, function pointers, or return addresses. The exploitation of this vulnerability typically requires an attacker to convince a victim to open a maliciously crafted file within Photoshop, making social engineering a critical component of the attack vector. The out of bounds write condition creates an opportunity for arbitrary code execution, as the attacker can manipulate the program flow by overwriting critical memory locations with malicious instructions or jump targets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to establish persistent access within compromised systems. When successful, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Photoshop process, which typically runs with the same permissions as the user who launched the application. This could lead to full system compromise, especially if the user has administrative privileges or is operating within a corporate environment where additional security controls may be bypassed. The vulnerability affects both the desktop and mobile versions of Photoshop, making it a cross-platform threat that requires immediate attention from security administrators.
Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability through Adobe's official security updates, as the company has released patches for affected versions. The mitigation strategy should include immediate deployment of the latest Photoshop updates, combined with user education to prevent opening untrusted files or attachments. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly when users access files from untrusted sources. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software, as well as maintaining regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities within their Photoshop installations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for execution through command and scripting interpreters, and T1203 for exploitation of software vulnerabilities, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations.