CVE-2020-3776 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 • 10/05/2020
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 insufficient bounds checking during the processing of specially crafted input files, creating a condition where an attacker can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to handle malformed image data or specific file structures that exceed allocated buffer boundaries, potentially allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the running Photoshop process. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow condition that aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient validation occurs during dynamic memory allocation. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who regularly process images from untrusted sources or encounter maliciously crafted files in their workflow. Attackers could leverage this weakness by delivering specially crafted image files that, when opened in Photoshop, trigger the buffer overflow and enable remote code execution capabilities. The exploitation scenario typically involves social engineering tactics where users unknowingly open malicious files, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter compromised content through email attachments, web downloads, or shared network resources. The attack surface extends beyond simple file execution as the vulnerability can be triggered through various file formats that Photoshop supports, including but not limited to psd, tiff, and jpeg formats. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploit for execution, representing the typical attack paths that adversaries would follow to achieve their objectives. The impact of successful exploitation includes complete system compromise, data theft, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions, implement strict file validation policies, and consider network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Additional mitigations include user education on recognizing suspicious file attachments, deployment of application control solutions, and monitoring for unusual file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for image processing operations and maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of regular software updates and proper input validation practices in preventing buffer overflow exploits that can lead to complete system compromise.