CVE-2019-8254 in Photoshop CC
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop CC versions before 20.0.8 and 21.0.x before 21.0.2 have a memory corruption vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2019
Adobe Photoshop cc versions prior to 20.0.8 and 21.0.x versions before 21.0.2 contain a memory corruption vulnerability that presents a significant security risk to users of the software. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes within the application's codebase, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the flaw and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability manifests when the software processes certain image files or data structures that trigger memory corruption conditions, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and gain unauthorized control over the affected system.
The technical nature of this memory corruption vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses that fall under the CWE-122 category of buffer overflow conditions. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting specially designed image files or data inputs that cause the application to allocate insufficient memory or access memory regions beyond their intended boundaries. When Photoshop attempts to process these malicious inputs, the corrupted memory state can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the application context. This type of vulnerability represents a critical threat vector because it allows remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8254 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain full control over the victim's machine, potentially leading to data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or further network reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Photoshop users who may encounter malicious files in email attachments, web downloads, or shared network resources. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Photoshop's widespread use in creative industries and professional environments where users frequently handle untrusted image files from various sources.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by updating to Adobe Photoshop CC 20.0.8 or later versions, or to 21.0.2 and later for the 21.0.x release line. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all instances of the vulnerable software are updated across their networks. Additionally, users should exercise caution when processing image files from untrusted sources and consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for handling potentially malicious content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in preventing exploitation of memory corruption flaws, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability to ensure comprehensive protection against potential exploitation attempts.