CVE-2020-3789 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 memory corruption vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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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 memory corruption vulnerability that presents significant security risks to users. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain image file formats during the parsing process, specifically affecting how the application processes malformed or specially crafted input files. The flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when Photoshop attempts to decode and render certain image data structures, particularly those involving complex layer compositions or embedded metadata. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow scenario where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory regions, potentially corrupting adjacent memory locations and disrupting application stability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as successful exploitation can enable remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can craft malicious image files that, when opened by an affected Photoshop version, trigger the memory corruption flaw. This exploitation vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code remotely. The vulnerability's reach is particularly concerning given Photoshop's widespread use in creative workflows, where users frequently open files from untrusted sources, including email attachments, web downloads, or collaborative platforms. The memory corruption occurs during the image parsing phase when the application attempts to process image data structures that exceed expected boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory pointers or execute arbitrary code within the application context.
Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability occurs in the image file processing pipeline, particularly when handling certain TIFF, PSD, or other image formats that contain malformed data structures. The flaw exists in how Photoshop manages memory allocation for image data during rendering operations, where insufficient validation allows attackers to manipulate the application's memory layout. This vulnerability is classified under the broader category of heap corruption issues and demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in multimedia processing applications. The exploitation process typically involves creating a specially crafted image file that triggers the buffer overflow when the application attempts to parse specific metadata or layer information, potentially leading to privilege escalation if the application runs with elevated permissions. Organizations using affected Photoshop versions should implement immediate mitigations including software updates, network segmentation, and user education to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of robust memory safety practices in creative software applications, as these tools often process untrusted data from diverse sources while maintaining complex memory management structures.