CVE-2022-24105
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Adobe Photoshop that could allow arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious U3D file. Attackers could gain the same privileges as the current user. Users of Adobe Photoshop versions 22.5.6 and earlier or 23.2.2 and earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Photoshop
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control of the victim's computer and user privileges, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to malware installation, data exfiltration, or persistence mechanisms being established on the compromised system.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing and user privilege restrictions, potentially resulting in application crash rather than full compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file) and knowledge of U3D file format manipulation. No public exploit code has been disclosed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Update to Photoshop 22.5.7 or 23.3
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/photoshop/apsb22-20.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Photoshop. 2. Go to Help > Updates. 3. Install available updates. 4. Restart Photoshop after installation completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable U3D file handling
allPrevent Photoshop from opening U3D files by modifying file associations
Windows: Use Default Programs settings to change .u3d file association
macOS: Use Finder's Get Info to change .u3d file association
User awareness training
allTrain users not to open U3D files from untrusted sources
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict user privileges to standard user accounts (not administrator)
- Implement application control policies to block execution of unauthorized binaries
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Photoshop version in Help > About Photoshop. If version is 22.5.6 or earlier, or 23.2.2 or earlier, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Photoshop: Help > About PhotoshopVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Photoshop version is 22.5.7 or higher for version 22.x, or 23.3 or higher for version 23.x.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Photoshop crash logs with memory access violations
- Windows Event Logs showing application crashes with exception codes like 0xC0000005
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections after opening U3D files
- DNS requests to suspicious domains following U3D file processing
SIEM Query:
EventID=1000 AND SourceName='Application Error' AND ProcessName='Photoshop.exe' AND ExceptionCode='0xC0000005'