CVE-2019-7989 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 CWE-77 category of command injection, where an attacker can inject and execute arbitrary commands through improperly sanitized input fields. The flaw exists in the application's processing of certain file formats or user-supplied parameters that are not adequately validated or escaped before being passed to underlying system commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the lack of proper input sanitization mechanisms within Photoshop's parsing routines. When users open or process specially crafted files, the application fails to properly isolate user-supplied data from system command execution contexts, creating an environment where attacker-controlled commands can be interpreted and executed with the privileges of the Photoshop process. This presents a significant risk as the application typically runs with elevated permissions on modern operating systems, potentially allowing attackers to gain full system control.
Operationally, this vulnerability impacts users who frequently process files from untrusted sources or collaborate with external parties who might provide compromised content. The attack surface expands to include any workflow involving file import operations, batch processing, or automated workflows that might pass user input directly to system-level commands. Organizations using Photoshop for creative workflows, digital forensics, or professional image processing are particularly vulnerable since these environments often involve handling files from multiple sources without proper security screening.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in arbitrary code execution, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. This allows attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware. Security professionals should note that the vulnerability affects both major version lines of Photoshop, indicating a fundamental flaw in the application's architecture rather than a simple patchable issue. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential data exfiltration, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments where Photoshop is deployed.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, implementing strict file validation policies, and restricting Photoshop's execution privileges. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege enforcement and proper input validation practices. Security teams should consider implementing automated file scanning solutions and educating users about the risks of processing untrusted content. Additionally, regular security assessments of creative software environments are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the production ecosystem.