CVE-2020-3775 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.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2020
Adobe Photoshop versions 2019.0.8 and earlier, as well as Photoshop 2020 versions 21.1 and earlier contain a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that presents significant security risks to users and organizations. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's handling of specific image file formats, particularly those involving malformed metadata structures. The flaw exists in the image parsing engine responsible for processing various file formats including psd, psb, and tiff files, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to craft malicious files that trigger buffer overflows during normal file processing operations. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow under CWE-121, which represents a fundamental weakness in memory management where data written to a buffer exceeds the allocated boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to execute arbitrary code within the context of the running Photoshop process, effectively granting attackers complete control over the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass a wide range of potential attacks that align with multiple tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform initial access through malicious file attachments in phishing campaigns, lateral movement by compromising user workstations, and privilege escalation by executing malicious payloads with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation typically occurs when a user opens a crafted malicious file, triggering the buffer overflow condition that allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code placed within the overflowed buffer, effectively bypassing standard security mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Photoshop is widely used for graphic design and digital media processing, as these applications are frequently shared across networks and may be opened by multiple users with varying privilege levels.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements to protect against similar buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop where the vulnerability has been patched, specifically targeting versions 20.0.9 and 21.2 or later, which contain proper bounds checking mechanisms and memory management improvements. Security administrators should implement additional protective measures including email filtering to block suspicious file attachments, network segmentation to limit lateral movement, and user education to prevent accidental opening of malicious files. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking during image file parsing operations, ensuring that all buffer operations are carefully monitored and controlled. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software, as well as regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential buffer overflow conditions within their software inventory. The vulnerability's classification as a critical security issue under CVSS scoring systems emphasizes the urgency of implementing these mitigations, as the potential for remote code execution makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to cybercriminals and nation-state actors targeting creative and design professionals.