Adobe Photoshop: Heap-based buffer overflow allows arbitrary code execution
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Photoshop Desktop can be triggered by opening a crafted file. An attacker who gets a user to open such a file can execute code with the privileges of the logged-in user. The attack requires local access and user interaction, typically through a malicious file received by email, download or shared drive.
Affected
- Adobe Photoshop 2026 (27.11 and earlier), Windows and macOS
- Adobe Photoshop 2025 (26.11.8 and earlier), Windows and macOS
- The CVE record also lists affected versions 0 to <= 26.11.8 and 0 to <= 27.11.
Fixed in
- Adobe Photoshop 2026: 27.11.1
- Adobe Photoshop 2027: 28.0
- Adobe Photoshop 2025 receives no further update; customers must move to Photoshop 2026 27.11.1 or Photoshop 2027 28.0.
- Note: the CVE record lists 28.0 as the unaffected version for the 26.x branch, which conflicts with the bulletin. Verify against APSB26-181.
Workaround
Unknown. No documented workaround; updating is the primary fix.
Exploitation
- Adobe is not aware of any exploits in the wild for the issues in APSB26-181.
- Not listed in CISA KEV according to aggregator data.
- No public proof of concept found; treat as unknown rather than confirmed absent.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
Our recommendation
- Update Adobe Photoshop via Creative Cloud (2026 to 27.11.1 or 2027 to 28.0); for managed environments use the Admin Console.
- Replace Photoshop 2025 with a supported version.
- Until patched, do not open PSD or image files from untrusted email, downloads or shared drives.
- Run Photoshop with a standard user account where possible.
- Re-check the Adobe bulletin and KEV status in the coming days.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-181 www.adobe.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-113575 (CVE.org) www.cve.org
- ZDI November 2026 Security Update Review www.zerodayinitiative.com
- Strix AI CVE-2026-113575 www.strix.ai
- OffSeq Radar CVE-2026-113575 radar.offseq.com
- Adobe Photoshop security page (helpx) helpx.adobe.com
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 11 Nov 2026, 02:06.
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.
Affected? We can help.
We check whether your systems are affected, install updates and close the gap – continuously with the System Health Checker if you wish.