CVE-2021-28548 in Photoshop
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2021
Adobe Photoshop versions 21.2.6 (and earlier) and 22.3 (and earlier) are affected by a Buffer Overflow vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted JSX file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2021
Adobe Photoshop versions 21.2.6 and earlier as well as 22.3 and earlier contain a critical buffer overflow vulnerability designated as CVE-2021-28548 that arises during the parsing of specially crafted jsx files. This vulnerability represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when the application fails to properly validate the size of data being processed during jsx file interpretation. The flaw exists within the application's file parsing mechanism where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write beyond the allocated memory buffer, potentially corrupting adjacent memory locations and executable code segments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices that has been exploited in numerous high-profile security incidents. The attack vector requires user interaction, meaning that a victim must willingly open the malicious jsx file for exploitation to occur, making this a client-side attack that leverages social engineering techniques to deliver the payload.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple arbitrary code execution, as it allows an attacker to execute code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. This privilege escalation capability significantly increases the potential damage that can be achieved through exploitation, as the malicious code can access user files, modify system settings, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects both the 21.x and 22.x release lines of Adobe Photoshop, indicating that the flaw has persisted across multiple versions and likely represents a fundamental issue in the parsing library or framework used by these applications. The buffer overflow can potentially be leveraged to overwrite critical program execution pointers, return addresses, or other control data structures, enabling attackers to redirect program flow and execute malicious instructions. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may open various types of files from untrusted sources, creating numerous potential attack surfaces.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised Photoshop process. The requirement for user interaction makes this vulnerability susceptible to phishing campaigns, where attackers craft malicious jsx files that appear legitimate and trick users into opening them. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the jsx file parser, where the application does not properly handle oversized data structures or malformed input sequences that could trigger the buffer overflow condition. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that jsx files are commonly used for automation and scripting within the Adobe Creative Suite, making them a natural target for attackers seeking to compromise user systems. Organizations should consider implementing automated file scanning and user education programs to reduce the risk of successful exploitation, as the vulnerability requires no authentication and only user interaction to achieve its full impact.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability involves updating to the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop where Adobe has patched the buffer overflow issue through proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. Adobe typically addresses such vulnerabilities by implementing proper memory management practices, including the use of safe string manipulation functions and robust buffer allocation techniques that prevent the overflow conditions from occurring. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected systems and consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, sandboxing of file processing operations, and network-based file filtering to prevent the execution of potentially malicious jsx files. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in preventing buffer overflow attacks and highlights the need for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments to maintain protection against emerging threats in the cybersecurity landscape.