CVE-2021-36006 is a vulnerability identified in Adobe Photoshop versions 21.2.9 and earlier, as well as 22.4.2 and earlier. The issue stems from improper input validation (CWE-20) when Photoshop parses specially crafted files. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a user into opening a maliciously crafted file within Photoshop. Upon opening, the vulnerability allows the attacker to disclose arbitrary memory information within the context of the current user. This means sensitive data residing in memory, such as portions of the application’s memory space or potentially other data loaded in the user’s session, could be exposed. The attack does not require authentication, but it does require user interaction, specifically the victim opening the malicious file. There are no known exploits in the wild reported to date, and Adobe has not provided patch links in the provided data, indicating that remediation might require updating to later versions beyond those affected. The vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality by leaking memory contents, but does not directly enable code execution or privilege escalation. The scope is limited to the user context running Photoshop, and the attack vector is local via file opening. This vulnerability is classified as medium severity due to the limited impact and required user interaction.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-36006 is primarily related to confidentiality risks. Organizations that rely heavily on Adobe Photoshop for graphic design, media production, marketing, or other creative workflows could be exposed to sensitive information leakage if users open malicious files. This could lead to exposure of intellectual property, internal project data, or user credentials stored in memory. While the vulnerability does not allow remote code execution or system compromise, the disclosed memory information could be leveraged in multi-stage attacks or combined with other vulnerabilities to escalate impact. The requirement for user interaction reduces the likelihood of widespread automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted spear-phishing or social engineering risks. Organizations with high-value creative assets or sensitive design data should consider this vulnerability a risk to data confidentiality. Additionally, the presence of this vulnerability in widely used Photoshop versions means that many endpoints across European enterprises could be affected, especially in industries such as advertising, media, publishing, and manufacturing design. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited active threat but does not preclude future exploitation attempts.

1. Update Adobe Photoshop to the latest available version beyond 22.4.2 to ensure the vulnerability is patched. Since no patch links are provided, organizations should verify with Adobe’s official security advisories and update channels. 2. Implement strict file handling policies: restrict opening Photoshop files from untrusted or unknown sources, especially email attachments or downloads. 3. Educate users on the risks of opening files from unverified origins and train them to recognize suspicious files or social engineering attempts. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious files or anomalous application behavior related to Photoshop. 5. Use application whitelisting or sandboxing for Photoshop to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 6. Monitor network and endpoint logs for unusual activity following file openings in Photoshop to detect potential exploitation attempts. 7. Regularly audit and inventory Photoshop installations across the organization to ensure no outdated versions remain in use. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on user behavior, file source validation, and proactive monitoring tailored to this vulnerability’s attack vector.