Adobe Photoshop: Out-of-bounds write allows code execution via crafted file
Summary
Adobe Photoshop Desktop contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) tracked as CVE-2026-96521. An attacker can exploit it to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires that a victim opens a malicious file, for example an email attachment or a downloaded file.
Affected
- Photoshop 2026: 27.10 and earlier (Windows and macOS)
- Photoshop 2025: 26.11.7 and earlier (Windows and macOS)
Fixed in
- Photoshop 2026: 27.11
- Photoshop 2025: 26.11.8
According to Adobe, the fixed versions are listed in advisory APSB26-158; third-party sources report the same versions.
Workaround
Unknown. Adobe does not describe a workaround. Until the update is installed, do not open Photoshop files from unknown or untrusted sources.
Exploitation
- Adobe is not aware of any exploits in the wild for the issues in this update.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- The CVE is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog according to third-party sources.
- No public proof of concept has been found. This means nothing is known, not that none exists.
Our recommendation
- Update Photoshop to 27.11 (2026) or 26.11.8 (2025) or later via the Creative Cloud desktop app.
- Use the Creative Cloud Admin Console to deploy updates in managed environments.
- Identify installations older than the fixed versions and make sure every workstation is updated.
- Warn staff not to open Photoshop files from unknown senders, email attachments or untrusted downloads until patching is complete.
- Confirm the fixed versions on the Adobe advisory APSB26-158 before relying on them.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-158 www.adobe.com
- ZDI: The October 2026 Security Update Review www.zerodayinitiative.com
- HKCERT: Adobe Monthly Security Update October 2026 www.hkcert.org
- Nessus plugin MACOS_ADOBE_PHOTOSHOP_APSB26-158 vulners.com
- ThreatInt CVE-2026-96521 cve.threatint.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 2 Nov 2026, 00:01.
Original description (NVD)
Photoshop Desktop is affected by an out-of-bounds write 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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