CVE-2020-3779 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 users running version 20.0.8 or earlier of Photoshop CC 2019 and version 21.1 or earlier of Photoshop 2020. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write classification, representing a fundamental memory safety issue where an application writes data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory regions. The flaw occurs when Photoshop processes certain image files that contain malformed or specially crafted data structures, particularly within the handling of specific file formats such as PSD or TIFF. When the application attempts to write data to memory locations that are outside the intended buffer boundaries, it creates an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate the program execution flow.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in arbitrary code execution on the targeted system, making it a severe security risk that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.1001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. Attackers can craft malicious image files that trigger the out-of-bounds write condition when opened or processed by the vulnerable Photoshop version. The memory corruption caused by this flaw can be leveraged to overwrite critical program memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Photoshop application user. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may unknowingly open malicious files sent via email or downloaded from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-3779 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a complete compromise of the affected system's security posture. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Photoshop face significant risks including data theft, persistent backdoor installation, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile versions of the software, making it a broad attack surface for threat actors. Security researchers have noted that this flaw demonstrates poor input validation and memory management practices, which are common indicators of insufficient software security engineering. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users are tricked into opening malicious files, making it difficult to detect and prevent without proper security controls.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop where this vulnerability has been patched, as Adobe released security updates addressing this issue in subsequent releases. System administrators should implement network segmentation and file scanning mechanisms to prevent the execution of potentially malicious files. The recommended mitigation includes deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious file behaviors, along with regular security awareness training for users to recognize potential social engineering attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of unauthorized software versions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar memory safety issues in other applications within the enterprise environment.