CVE-2019-7992
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of Adobe Photoshop CC. An out-of-bounds write flaw enables attackers to write data beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially leading to remote code execution. Users of Adobe Photoshop CC versions 19.1.8 and earlier or 20.0.5 and earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Photoshop CC
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control over the victim's computer, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or remote code execution when opening malicious Photoshop files, leading to malware installation or data exfiltration.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing, minimal user privileges, and network segmentation preventing lateral movement.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening a malicious file). No public proof-of-concept has been released, but the high CVSS score suggests reliable exploitation is possible.
🛠️ 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 the 'Apps' tab. 3. Find Photoshop in your installed applications. 4. Click 'Update' if available. 5. Alternatively, download the latest version from Adobe's website. 6. Restart Photoshop after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Photoshop file associations
allPrevent automatic opening of Photoshop files by changing file associations
Windows: Control Panel > Default Programs > Associate a file type or protocol with a program
macOS: Right-click file > Get Info > Open with > Change All...
Restrict Photoshop execution
allUse application control policies to restrict Photoshop execution to trusted users only
Windows: Group Policy > Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Application Control Policies
macOS: Use Parental Controls or third-party application control solutions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected systems from critical network segments and the internet
- Implement strict file validation policies to block untrusted Photoshop files
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Photoshop version: Help > About Photoshop (Windows) or Photoshop > About Photoshop (macOS)Check Version:
Photoshop: Help > About Photoshop (displays version in dialog)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 19.1.9 or higher for 19.x branch, or 20.0.6 or higher for 20.x branch📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected Photoshop crashes with memory access violations
- Photoshop opening files from untrusted sources
- Process creation from Photoshop with unusual command lines
Network Indicators:
- Photoshop making unexpected outbound connections after opening files
- DNS requests to suspicious domains from Photoshop process
SIEM Query:
source="photoshop_logs" AND (event_type="crash" OR file_path="*.psd" OR file_path="*.psb")