CVE-2020-3764 in Media Encoder
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Media Encoder versions 14.0 and earlier have an out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2020
Adobe Media Encoder contains a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that affects versions 14.0 and earlier, representing a significant security risk within the multimedia processing ecosystem. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write classification, where the application fails to properly validate input data before writing to memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions. The flaw occurs when the media encoder processes malformed input files or specific media parameters that trigger unexpected memory access patterns, creating opportunities for malicious code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft specially designed media files or parameters that cause the application to write data beyond allocated memory boundaries. When Adobe Media Encoder attempts to process these malicious inputs, the out-of-bounds write operation can overwrite critical program variables, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow and ultimately achieve arbitrary code execution on the target system. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through routine media processing operations, making it accessible to attackers who might not require specialized knowledge of the underlying system architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-3764 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to systems running vulnerable versions of Adobe Media Encoder. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware components within the victim environment. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where Adobe Media Encoder is commonly used for professional video editing and production workflows, potentially compromising entire digital asset management systems. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise through code execution.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of Adobe Media Encoder installations to address this critical vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for the underlying memory corruption issue. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure compatibility with existing media workflows and production environments. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address successful breaches. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized media processing applications and reduce the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities in other Adobe products that may share similar codebases or processing pipelines.