CVE-2020-3778 in Photoshop CC 2019
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop versions Photoshop CC 2019, and Photoshop 2020 have an out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2020
Adobe Photoshop versions Photoshop CC 2019 and Photoshop 2020 contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that stems from improper input validation within the application's image processing routines. This flaw exists in the handling of malformed image files, particularly those with crafted malicious structures that cause the software to attempt reading memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability manifests when Photoshop processes specially constructed image files that trigger an invalid memory access pattern, allowing attackers to read data from adjacent memory regions that may contain sensitive information. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can expose confidential data to unauthorized parties.
The exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user opens or processes a maliciously crafted image file within Photoshop, triggering the out-of-bounds read condition during the image parsing process. The affected memory regions may contain previously processed data, application state information, or even credentials stored in memory, depending on the execution context and memory layout at the time of the read operation. Attackers can potentially leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the application's memory space, including but not limited to user credentials, file paths, or other confidential data that may be stored in adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability represents a significant risk in environments where Photoshop is used to process untrusted image files from external sources, such as web applications, email attachments, or file sharing platforms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for organizations that rely heavily on Photoshop for image processing workflows, particularly those handling sensitive or confidential content. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability can lead to data breaches, credential theft, or exposure of proprietary information that may have long-term security implications. The attack vector is relatively simple and can be executed through social engineering techniques that trick users into opening malicious files, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may not be adequately trained to identify suspicious file attachments. This vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it can be exploited through file-based attacks that leverage the application's processing capabilities to extract information.
Organizations should immediately implement patch management procedures to update Photoshop to the latest versions that address this vulnerability, as Adobe has released security updates to remediate the issue. Additional mitigations include implementing strict file validation procedures for image files processed through Photoshop, particularly those received from external sources, and establishing user awareness training programs to prevent social engineering attacks that may lead to exploitation. Network-based protections such as email filtering and web application firewalls can help reduce the likelihood of malicious files reaching users, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file processing activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, as proper bounds checking and memory management would prevent the out-of-bounds read condition from occurring in the first place. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's attack surface, particularly those that process untrusted data through complex parsing routines.