CVE-2020-3773 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 an out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2020
Adobe Photoshop contains a critical out-of-bounds write 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 represents a fundamental memory corruption flaw that occurs when the application processes certain image files, particularly those with malformed or maliciously crafted metadata structures. The issue stems from insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of image headers and embedded data, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions in software applications. The flaw exists in the image processing pipeline where Photoshop fails to validate the size and structure of incoming data before attempting to write to memory locations. When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to arbitrary code execution on the target system, as attackers can manipulate the memory layout to inject and execute malicious payloads. The attack typically occurs when a user opens a specially crafted image file, triggering the vulnerable code path during image parsing operations. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system. The impact extends beyond simple code execution, as this vulnerability could be leveraged to escalate privileges or establish persistent access to the affected system. The vulnerability affects both Windows and macOS platforms where Photoshop is installed, making it a cross-platform threat that requires immediate attention from security administrators. Organizations running these vulnerable versions of Photoshop should consider the potential for zero-day exploitation given the severity of out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The nature of this flaw means that it could be easily exploited through social engineering campaigns targeting users who might open malicious image files from untrusted sources. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require user interaction beyond opening the file, making it a prime candidate for automated exploitation tools. The lack of proper input validation during image processing creates a dangerous attack surface that could be leveraged by threat actors to gain unauthorized access to systems. Remediation efforts should focus on immediate patching of affected software versions, as well as implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and email filtering to prevent the delivery of malicious image files. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in image processing applications, as these types of applications are frequently targeted due to their widespread use and the potential for privilege escalation through file processing operations.