CVE-2019-8000 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 read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to memory leak.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
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 read vulnerability that represents a significant security flaw within the image processing software ecosystem. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and can be classified as a CWE-125 vulnerability, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that occur when a program attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests when the application processes certain image files or specific image manipulation operations that trigger improper memory access patterns during the parsing or rendering of image data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries when processing image metadata or embedded data within various file formats. When Photoshop encounters malformed or specially crafted image files, particularly those containing oversized or malformed metadata sections, the software attempts to read memory locations that extend beyond the intended buffer limits. This out of bounds memory access can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, memory leaks, and potentially more severe consequences depending on the specific memory locations accessed. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal user interaction when opening or processing image files, making it a prime target for exploitation in targeted attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory leaks to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. While the immediate consequence may appear as a memory leak or application instability, such vulnerabilities often serve as stepping stones for more advanced exploitation techniques. Attackers can leverage this memory access flaw to potentially achieve code execution or information disclosure by carefully crafting malicious image files that manipulate the memory access patterns to gain unauthorized control over the application's execution flow. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Photoshop installations and represents a persistent threat to users who regularly process images from untrusted sources, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where image processing workflows are common.
Security professionals should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include immediate patch deployment for all affected Photoshop versions, along with enhanced file validation procedures and network segmentation controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices within image processing applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage that can be leveraged to exploit such memory vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing automated malware detection systems that can identify and quarantine suspicious image files before they can be processed by vulnerable applications. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted image files and maintaining current software versions remains crucial in mitigating the exploitation potential of this vulnerability across various attack surfaces.