Adobe Photoshop: Heap-based buffer overflow allows code execution
Summary
Adobe Photoshop Desktop contains a heap-based buffer overflow tracked as CVE-2026-104348. If a victim opens a malicious file, an attacker can execute arbitrary code with the rights of the current user. The CVE record rates this high (CVSS 7.8), but Adobe's bulletin APSB26-158 lists the CVE as a NULL pointer dereference with CVSS 5.5 that only causes denial-of-service, so the higher rating should be assumed until the data is reconciled.
Affected
- Adobe Photoshop 2026: 27.10 and earlier (Windows and macOS)
- Adobe Photoshop 2025: 26.11.7 and earlier (Windows and macOS)
Fixed in
- Adobe Photoshop 2026: 27.11 or later
- Adobe Photoshop 2025: 26.11.8 or later
Workaround
Unknown. Adobe lists no workaround; updating is the only known fix.
Exploitation
- Adobe is not aware of any exploits in the wild for the issues addressed in APSB26-158.
- Strix lists the CVE as not in KEV. No public proof of concept was found, but this cannot be ruled out.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
Our recommendation
- Update Photoshop to 27.11 or 26.11.8 (or later) on all workstations via the Creative Cloud desktop app or the Admin Console, starting with systems that handle files from external senders.
- Remind users not to open unexpected files from email, downloads or file shares.
- Verify the installed version after the update.
- Reassess the rating once Adobe and NVD have reconciled the CVSS and CWE data.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-158 www.adobe.com
- CVE database mirror (Aqua) avd.aquasec.com
- ZDI October 2026 security update review www.zerodayinitiative.com
- HKCERT Adobe monthly security update October 2026 www.hkcert.org
- Strix CVE page CVE-2026-104348 www.strix.ai
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 2 Nov 2026, 00:08.
Original description (NVD)
Photoshop Desktop is affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
NVD references (1)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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