CVE-2022-28273 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) affecting Adobe Photoshop versions 22.5.6 and earlier, as well as 23.2.2 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when Photoshop improperly handles certain crafted image files, leading to memory corruption through writing outside the intended buffer boundaries. Such memory corruption can be leveraged by an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically that the victim opens a maliciously crafted file in Photoshop. Because the vulnerability is triggered by opening a file, it can be exploited via social engineering tactics such as phishing emails or malicious downloads. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of this report, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided data. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by potentially allowing arbitrary code execution, which could lead to data theft, system compromise, or denial of service. However, exploitation is limited by the need for user interaction and the requirement that the victim uses an affected Photoshop version. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity by the vendor, reflecting these mitigating factors.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-28273 could be significant in environments where Adobe Photoshop is widely used, such as creative agencies, media companies, marketing departments, and design studios. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, enabling attackers to steal sensitive intellectual property, deploy malware, or move laterally within corporate networks. Given that Photoshop often handles proprietary and confidential design files, the confidentiality impact is notable. The integrity of design assets could be compromised, potentially damaging brand reputation or leading to financial loss. Availability could also be affected if exploitation results in application crashes or system instability. However, the requirement for user interaction and the absence of known active exploits reduce the immediate risk. Organizations with robust email filtering, user awareness training, and endpoint protection may mitigate the likelihood of successful exploitation. Nevertheless, the presence of unpatched vulnerable versions in critical environments poses a tangible risk, especially in sectors with high-value creative content or where Photoshop is integrated into automated workflows.

1. Immediate deployment of the latest Adobe Photoshop updates as soon as official patches addressing CVE-2022-28273 become available is critical. 2. Implement strict email filtering and attachment scanning to detect and block potentially malicious image files targeting Photoshop users. 3. Conduct targeted user awareness training emphasizing the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious image files, particularly those received via email or external sources. 4. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques for Photoshop to limit the impact of potential code execution exploits. 5. Monitor endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems for unusual behavior related to Photoshop processes, such as unexpected network connections or code injection attempts. 6. Restrict Photoshop usage to trusted users and environments, and consider isolating Photoshop workstations from sensitive network segments to reduce lateral movement risk. 7. Regularly audit installed software versions across the organization to identify and remediate outdated or vulnerable Photoshop installations. 8. Where possible, disable automatic preview or rendering of files in email clients or file explorers to reduce inadvertent triggering of malicious files.