CVE-2020-3770 in Photoshop CC 2019
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 versions 20.0.8 and earlier, and Photoshop 2020 versions 21.1 and earlier have a buffer errors vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2020
Adobe Photoshop contains a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that affects multiple versions of the software including Photoshop CC 2019 versions 20.0.8 and earlier, as well as Photoshop 2020 versions 21.1 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of specially crafted image files, particularly those containing malformed metadata or embedded content. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to read or write data beyond the allocated buffer space, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue that has been a persistent concern in software development. The vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a potential path to full system compromise. When an unsuspecting user opens a maliciously crafted image file, the buffer overflow can be triggered during the parsing process, allowing an attacker to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the Photoshop application. This could result in unauthorized access to system resources, data exfiltration, or the installation of additional malware. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users are tricked into opening seemingly legitimate image files that contain hidden malicious payloads. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass security controls, escalate privileges, and maintain persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official Adobe security patches and updates. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate image processing activities. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially malicious code. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of affected software versions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and comprehensive input validation in preventing buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should prioritize patch management processes and ensure that all users are running patched versions of Photoshop to eliminate this attack vector. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the risks of opening untrusted image files and the importance of maintaining current software versions.