CVE-2019-7968
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on systems running vulnerable versions of Adobe Photoshop CC. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise. Affected users include anyone using Photoshop CC versions 19.1.8 and earlier or 20.0.5 and earlier.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Photoshop CC
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system takeover with administrative privileges, data theft, ransomware deployment, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to user account compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence establishment.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation, application sandboxing, and least privilege principles in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access or ability to trick user into opening malicious files. Command injection vulnerabilities are typically easy to weaponize once details are public.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Photoshop CC 19.1.9 and 20.0.6
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/photoshop/apsb19-44.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Creative Cloud application. 2. Navigate to 'Apps' tab. 3. Find Photoshop CC and click 'Update'. 4. Restart Photoshop after update completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Photoshop file execution
allPrevent execution of Photoshop files from untrusted sources using application control policies
Run Photoshop with reduced privileges
windowsConfigure Photoshop to run with limited user privileges instead of administrative rights
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate Photoshop workstations from critical network segments
- Implement strict file validation and scanning for all Photoshop files before opening
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Photoshop version via Help > About Photoshop. If version is 19.1.8 or earlier, or 20.0.5 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
On Windows: Check registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Photoshop\XX.0\Version (where XX is major version). On macOS: Check /Applications/Adobe Photoshop CC 20XX/Adobe Photoshop CC 20XX.app/Contents/Info.plistVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Photoshop version is 19.1.9 or later for 19.x branch, or 20.0.6 or later for 20.x branch.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process spawning from Photoshop.exe
- Command execution patterns in process creation logs
- Photoshop crash logs with suspicious parameters
Network Indicators:
- Photoshop process making unexpected network connections
- Outbound connections from Photoshop to unusual destinations
SIEM Query:
Process Creation where (Image contains 'photoshop.exe' OR ParentImage contains 'photoshop.exe') AND CommandLine contains suspicious patterns like 'cmd', 'powershell', 'wscript'