CVE-2020-9656 in Premiere Rush
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Premiere Rush versions 1.5.12 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 • 10/27/2020
Adobe Premiere Rush version 1.5.12 and earlier contains a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for users of this video editing software. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that occur when a program attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of an array or buffer. The flaw exists within the application's handling of certain media files or processing operations that trigger improper memory management during video rendering or file import processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes malformed or specially crafted media files that cause memory corruption during normal operation. Attackers can leverage this condition by preparing malicious media content that, when imported or processed within Premiere Rush, triggers the out-of-bounds write scenario. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the user running the application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This represents a severe privilege escalation risk that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1547.001 for registry run keys or startup folder.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it creates a persistent threat vector for attackers who can use the compromised system as a foothold for further network infiltration. Organizations using Premiere Rush for video production, content creation, or media processing are particularly at risk since these applications often handle sensitive corporate or personal media files. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically only the opening or processing of a malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently exchange media files. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability is especially concerning in enterprise environments where video editing workflows may involve multiple users and file sharing scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of Premiere Rush to version 1.5.13 or later, which contains the necessary memory boundary checks and input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running Premiere Rush to untrusted networks. Additionally, security teams should monitor for suspicious file processing activities and consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized media processing software. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory safety practices in multimedia applications and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation in creative software tools that handle user-provided content. System administrators should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.