How CVE-2025-27198 Works
CVE-2025-27198 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Adobe Photoshop Desktop versions 25.12.1, 26.4.1, and earlier. When processing a maliciously crafted file, Photoshop fails to properly validate input data, leading to heap memory corruption. Attackers can exploit this by embedding oversized or malformed image data structures within PSD, TIFF, or other supported formats. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution under the current user’s privileges, requiring only that the victim opens the malicious file. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during memory allocation for image layer processing.
DailyCVE Form
Platform: Adobe Photoshop
Version: ≤25.12.1, ≤26.4.1
Vulnerability: Heap Overflow
Severity: Critical
Date: 05/05/2025
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation Analysis
1. Malicious File Crafting:
- Use modified PSD headers with oversized layer data.
with open("exploit.psd", "wb") as f: f.write(b"8BPS\x00\x01" + b"\xFF" 5000) Corrupted header
2. Heap Grooming:
- Spray memory with shellcode via repeated layer allocations.
3. EIP Control:
- Overwrite function pointers in heap metadata to redirect execution.
Protection Measures
1. Patch Deployment:
adobe_photoshop --update Apply latest security patches
2. Workarounds:
- Disable PSD parsing via Group Policy:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Photoshop] "DisablePSD"=dword:00000001
3. Detection:
- YARA rule for exploit patterns:
rule Photoshop_HeapOverflow_CVE202527198 { strings: $magic = { 38 42 50 53 00 01 } condition: $magic at 0 and filesize > 10MB }
4. Memory Protections:
- Enable DEP/ASLR system-wide:
sysctl -w kernel.randomize_va_space=2
5. Forensic Artifacts:
- Check Photoshop crash logs:
Get-Content "$env:APPDATA\Adobe\Photoshop.log" | Select-String "AccessViolation"
6. Network Mitigation:
- Block PSD files at email gateways:
iptables -A INPUT -m string --algo bm --string "8BPS" -j DROP
Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
