P: Photoshop 23.0 - cannot open TIF files, generated in other programs

[jazz-y]

Starting from version 22.5.2 Photoshop stopped opening some tif files. The issue is related to a previously discovered vulnerability, the escalation of which, under certain conditions, may lead to arbitrary code execution - Adobe Security Bulletin.

Important: The problem is not with Photoshop, but with third-party software developers who do not keep track of current TIF specifications

A temporary solution to the problem is to convert files in third-party editors that completely update the structure of TIF files (for example, xnView, ImageMagik, etc.); such files can also be converted using the Camera Raw plug-in (via Bridge).

We all hope that Adobe can solve this problem and find a way to bring third-party files to modern standard. But I recommend that you independently contact the developers of programs whose files Photoshop cannot open. Notify them of the problem, recommend to contact @J453 using this community. Jeffrey can provide technical information to developers to solve this problem.

List of apps that have problems (according to your feedback):

• Affinity Photo (no feedback from users, is the problem fixed in 23.0.1)
• Deep Sky Stacker (no feedback from users, is the problem fixed in 23.0.1)
• Pixinxight (no feedback from users, is the problem fixed in 23.0.1)
• tiffs from Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
• OrthoVista (a Trimble program)
• Photo from an iPhone saved as a TIFF in Apple Preview
• Ultramap, Vexcel Imaging software
• Agisoft Metashape

There are no problems (or solved):

• GIMP
• ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2018 (solved in PS 23.0.1)
• ACDSee Pro Photo Studio  (solved in PS 23.0.1)
• Portrait Pro Studio Max 18 (solved in PS 23.0.1)
• X-rite i1Profiler (i1Publish) (solved in PS 23.0.1)
• ScanTailor (solved in PS 23.0.1)
• SNS-HDR (solved in PS 23.0.1)
• Capture One  (solved in PS 23.0.1)
• Starnet++ 1.1 (solved in PS 23.0.1)
• Deep Sky Stacker 4.2.6 (possibly depends of the file export settings)
• Acrobat DC
• PatchTool (BabelColor) - issue solved after communication with Adobe staff
• ImageMagik
• XnView 
• Blender
• World Creator 2
• Techsmith Snagit

[simont57689994]

Yes Lumigraphics but unfortunatley that's no help to me as i'm sure if I email [ Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs ] and tell them to have a chat with Adobe about their Tif saving options (so I can carry on working) i'm sure I won't get very far! : )  The trouble is, each tile I download from Defra is 5000x5000 pixels @ 32bit and i'm stiching 16 of them together in Photoshop for an elevation map for each region i'm working on, but now I can't.

Also Adobe haven't said what 'attribute' is missing so I can't tell anyone what to change on their Tif saving options!

Adobe: "We could tell you Sir, but then we'd have to kill you. For security reasons".

[Kukurykus]

CS6 was quite good. Since 1st CC I can't remember one good release I'd like to be with for longer. Script Error

[davescm]

"Also Adobe haven't said what 'attribute' is missing.........."

Given that it creates a security issue I don't think they are likely to.

Dave

[Lumigraphics]

Once a fix is available, they should issue a CERT advisory with full details. That way other developers can see what the problem and fix are.

[Lumigraphics]

Adobe Security Bulletin

Security Bulletins and Advisories

[Verto]

Hi,

I have the same problem to open TIFF files created with other programs,
in Photoshop 23.

- TIFF files created with SNS-HDR, I can't open them. (Error: Could not be met because it is not the correct document type).

- Files processed with Capture One, and sent directly from the program, to editing in TIFF format, Photoshop opens them with Camera Raw.

-TIFF files with layers, generated with Affinity Photo, Photoshop no longer recognizes the layers.

[Lumigraphics]

My guess is that all of those programs will be needing a security update to fix this problem.

[pocketchlo]

I have the same problem, tried to install the older version but only 22.5.2 was available and my .tiff file couldn't open on that version as well. This is really frustrating and I hope it gets fixed soon!

[theghost]

My current workaround (quite pathetic, but a workaround nonetheless): The old beta version of Photoshop 22.5 can still be installed with the current CC app and opens my TIFF files. It's slow and likely buggy in other respects, but at least it works for the moment.

[defaultf89ri7ktz9kj]

Hallo

Windows 10 Pro, 64 Bit, Version 21H1

Dateien die mit ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2018 im TIF Format (16Bit) gespeichert werden können seit dem neuesten Update von Photoshop, mit Photoshop Version 23.0.0 nicht geöffnet werden.

Fehlermeldung:

"Der Vorgang konnte nicht ausgeführt werde, weil dieses Dokument nicht vom richtigen Typ ist."

Affinity Photo und andere Programme können diese Dateien problemlos öffnen.

Ist das problem und eine Lösung bekannt?

Vielen Dank

Kurt

[Ingvar5FCE]

As I am now paying a monthly fee for a software tool I cannot use, I would appreciate an update from Adobe on a time schedule to fix the problem. The alternative is to cancel the subscription and turn to other solutions.

[Ian MacDonald]

Exactly the same for me when using Starnet++ with the latest version of Photoshop. As a workaround I open the starless image with Adobe Bridge and then open from Camera Raw. I thought it was my error until I searched on this forum 

[Lumigraphics]

Did you see the official answer? Adobe may not be able to fix the problem. If another program creates malformed TIFF files with a security issue, that would be up to that developer to fix it.

[carlos1587]

If that's Adobe's final answer, it's a real shame.

[HPLHaverhill]

My workflow involves opening the file from Lightroom Classic to edit in PS. The files I am working with were processed with Capture One, created by a vendor. I am using the Open in Raw from Bridge now but it slows me down considerably. Any hope for the Capture One files to be openable in PS without Raw step?

[Verto]

I am in the same situation as you. Considering that Capture One is my main processing software, if Adobe does not solve this issue, I would unfortunately be forced to look for an alternative for regular editing of my work. Even if I were to lose some of the features that Photoshop provides, I can't afford to waste the time I waste now, opening every TIFF photograph through Camera Raw.

[HPLHaverhill]

Yes, I can open them through Bridge/Raw but not edit unless I open in Photoshop *from* Raw and save again - I have been saving copies, not sure how saving this way will affect the image.

[Kukurykus]

If the users are warned of the risk of using unsecure files, they should be allowed for Legacy option that enables reading TIFF's by Photoshop. Surely the option should be disabled when first time installing new release, so no one would be suffered of careleslly provided application.

There're enough experienced users who know what they do to decide a way of doing that, at least many from here likely would meet consequences of own action than like to be constrained to look for alternate software.

[Kukurykus]

You may start a request thread basing on 'Nov, 05 2021' post argument.

[Lumigraphics]

How many people would just click through and get pwned? Everyone posting in this thread... this is why we have so much malware.

[Kukurykus]

Photoshop seems to be only one protector of users while there are still plenty of other apps handling the tiffs the old way. The hint is to temporarily let these files be treated like so far (with option to disable), even assign official date of permanent disablement, at least as the signal to other brands to reconsider the same. Whatever direction would they take, at least the preparation time for the users to any scenario would be given.

[j94154024]

I'm sorry but this is Adobe's problem to sort out, that is one of the reasons we pay a subscription. I can't believe it is that difficult, after all two of the workarounds include using other Adobe products, Bridge and Lightroom and it's not causing an issue there it would is seem. 

[Verto]

I have problems with TIFF files created with Capture One. Photoshop forces me to open them through Camera Raw.

We are told that the problem arises from a security measure, to prevent malware, but I don't believe that software like C1, is introducing malware into the files. That software is an industry standard for taking and processing RAW files, just as Photoshop is a standard for image editing.

The full compatibility between the two platforms guarantees both manufacturers many customers, but if Adobe now, in order to protect its own application ecosystem, hampers C1-generated files, I fear it will unfortunately lose customers, as Lightroom is still behind C1 in many respects.

Many professionals who have invested in purchasing C1 licenses, were not going to switch to Lightroom now. For most jobs, it is easier for us to switch to programs like Affinity Photo as an alternative to Photoshop, if we can maintain a streamlined workflow.

[davescm]

".....but if Adobe now, in order to protect its own application ecosystem............"

Did you read the security info linked earlier in this thread? Adobe are not doing this to protect their ecosystem. They are doing it to protect vulnerabilities exposed on your system which potentially open up your system and data to attack. Read the links carefully.

I have no doubt Capture One is producing legitimate files. I am also in no doubt that the vulnerabilities in the TIFF files can be used by unscrupulous parties to attack your system. The recipient of the file in this case Adobe Photoshop, can only act to shut down the vulnerability. If Adobe knew about it and did not act then that is irresponsible and we would quickly be shouting about lost data. 

Adobe have already stated that they are looking for a way to make these files open without that exposure - see Jeff Tranberry's response.

Dave

[Verto]

"Did you read the security info linked earlier in this thread?..."

Yes Dave, I believe I have read the entire thread, and I am aware of the answers given and the reasons given by Adobe for implementing this security measure.

However, I do not consider it a big problem to add an option in the Photoshop preferences settings, so that the user can decide to enable or disable such a measure, while other manufacturers are implementing security in their applications.

What cannot be done is to make an unequivocal decision, which implies the loss of time and possibly money for users. Some of us work daily with Photoshop and other image processing programs, and this measure is creating a serious problem for us, given the enormous amount of TIFF files we handle. And considering that Photoshop is a paid software, we would like to receive a good service.

I hope that in addition to reading Jeff Tranberry's, whom I thank for his attention and response, you will also read the comments and responses of the affected users, and put yourself in their shoes to understand them.

Thank you for your attention and best regards.