CVE-2022-28271 in Photoshop
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2022
Adobe Photoshop versions 22.5.6 (and earlier)and 23.2.2 (and earlier) are affected by a use-after-free vulnerability that could result in 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 PDF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2022
Adobe Photoshop contains a critical use-after-free vulnerability in its PDF parsing functionality that affects versions 22.5.6 and earlier as well as 23.2.2 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the way the application handles memory allocation and deallocation when processing maliciously crafted PDF files. The flaw occurs when Photoshop parses PDF documents and attempts to free memory that has already been deallocated or accessed after deallocation, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the application's memory state to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free condition under CWE-416, which represents a common class of memory safety issues that can lead to remote code execution when exploited properly. The attack requires social engineering to trick users into opening a specially crafted PDF file, making it a user-interaction dependent exploit that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.202 for legitimate user execution. When a victim opens the malicious file, the PDF parser in Photoshop triggers the use-after-free condition, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite memory locations and redirect execution flow to malicious code. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it can enable full system compromise when the application runs with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects the application's PDF handling components, which are commonly used for document review and image editing workflows, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from external sources. Security researchers have identified that the memory corruption occurs during the processing of specific PDF objects that Photoshop attempts to free and reuse, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to inject and execute malicious payloads. This type of vulnerability represents a significant threat to user security and system integrity, as it allows attackers to bypass standard security controls when users perform routine document handling activities. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a PDF file that triggers the memory corruption when opened in Photoshop, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations should prioritize patching affected versions of Photoshop to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability provides a direct path to arbitrary code execution with minimal user interaction required. The use-after-free condition creates a persistent threat that can be leveraged for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistent access to compromised systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in memory safety within complex multimedia applications that must process various document formats while maintaining security boundaries. The attack vector through PDF files highlights the importance of secure document handling practices and the need for robust input validation in applications that process untrusted content. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious PDF file handling activities and ensure that Photoshop updates are applied promptly across all user systems to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety in software applications and the potential consequences when such protections are inadequate in widely used productivity tools.