CVE-2019-7980 in Photoshop CC
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop CC versions 19.1.8 and earlier and 20.0.5 and earlier have a type confusion vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2020
Adobe Photoshop CC contains a type confusion vulnerability in versions 19.1.8 and earlier as well as 20.0.5 and earlier that stems from improper handling of object types during memory operations. This vulnerability falls under CWE-466 which specifically addresses the issue of returning a pointer to a data structure that is not of the expected type. The flaw occurs when the application processes certain image files that contain malformed data structures, causing the software to incorrectly interpret memory locations and execute unintended code sequences. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for arbitrary code execution, meaning an attacker could potentially run malicious software on a victim's system without their knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation of this type confusion vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate object types when processing image metadata or file headers. When Photoshop encounters specially crafted input files, the software's memory management routines become confused about the actual data types being manipulated, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to gain control over the application's execution flow. This type of vulnerability is classified as a memory safety issue and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage. The exploitation typically requires an attacker to craft a malicious image file that, when opened by the vulnerable Photoshop version, triggers the type confusion in the underlying code parsing routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a critical security risk for users who regularly process images from untrusted sources. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through social engineering campaigns where they distribute malicious image files that appear legitimate but contain the crafted payload designed to exploit the type confusion flaw. The attack surface is broad since Photoshop is widely used across creative industries and personal users who may inadvertently open compromised files. Organizations using older versions of Photoshop are particularly vulnerable as the fix requires updating to newer versions that address the memory handling inconsistencies in the software's object management system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of all affected Photoshop installations to versions that have addressed the type confusion issue through proper type validation and memory management improvements. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies and consider using sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Network security controls such as intrusion detection systems and file integrity monitoring should be configured to detect suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening image files from trusted sources and avoiding suspicious email attachments or downloads that might contain maliciously crafted Photoshop files designed to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include monitoring for any indicators of compromise that might suggest successful exploitation attempts within the organization's network infrastructure.