CVE-2020-9683 in Photoshop
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Photoshop versions Photoshop CC 2019, and Photoshop 2020 have an out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2020
Adobe Photoshop versions Photoshop CC 2019 and Photoshop 2020 contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for users of these applications. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array index values. The flaw manifests when the application processes certain image files, particularly those containing malformed or crafted data structures that trigger memory access violations beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability exists in the image parsing functionality where Photoshop fails to properly validate input parameters before accessing memory locations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the Photoshop application. Attackers can craft malicious image files that, when opened by an affected version of Photoshop, trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. This condition can be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running Photoshop, potentially allowing for complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers may use the arbitrary code execution capability to deploy additional malware or establish persistent access to compromised systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where adversaries might use social engineering to deliver malicious image files through email attachments or compromised websites. The out-of-bounds read condition can be triggered through various image formats supported by Photoshop, including but not limited to psd, tiff, and jpeg files. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of the input data to ensure successful memory corruption and subsequent code execution. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where insufficient bounds checking allows memory access beyond intended boundaries, creating potential for information disclosure, application crash, or full system compromise.
Organizations and individual users should immediately update to the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and memory access controls. The recommended mitigations include applying Adobe's security patches as soon as they become available, implementing application whitelisting controls to restrict execution of unauthorized software, and conducting regular security assessments of image handling processes within the organization. Network security controls such as email filtering and web proxy configurations should also be enhanced to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious image files. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software applications and the potential consequences of failing to apply security patches in a timely manner.