CVE-2016-4158 in Creative Cloud Desktop Application
Summary
by MITRE
Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application before 3.7.0.272 on Windows allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% directory.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4158 represents a critical unquoted search path weakness in Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application versions prior to 3.7.0.272 on Windows systems. This flaw stems from the application's improper handling of executable file paths during the startup process, creating a privilege escalation vector that adversaries can exploit through malicious Trojan horse files. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows operating system's path resolution mechanism where applications fail to properly quote directory paths containing spaces, allowing attackers to place malicious executables in strategic locations within the system hierarchy.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the Windows search path resolution behavior where the operating system searches for executables in the order specified by the PATH environment variable without proper quoting of directory names that contain spaces. When Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application attempts to launch child processes or execute helper utilities, it does not properly quote the paths to these executables, enabling attackers to place malicious files in directories such as %SYSTEMDRIVE% that are searched before the legitimate application directories. This behavior aligns with CWE-428, which describes the weakness of unquoted search paths, and represents a classic privilege escalation attack vector that has been documented in numerous security assessments and penetration testing scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the system. Once an attacker places a malicious executable in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% directory with the same name as a legitimate application component, the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application will execute the malicious file instead of the intended legitimate executable. This creates a scenario where attackers can execute code with the privileges of the user running the Adobe application, potentially escalating to SYSTEM level privileges if the application is configured to run with elevated permissions. The vulnerability operates under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as a privilege escalation technique, specifically categorized under T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and can be leveraged for persistent access and further system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4158 require immediate remediation through updating to Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application version 3.7.0.272 or later, which addresses the unquoted search path issue by properly quoting all executable paths during the application startup process. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including regular patch management procedures, monitoring for suspicious files in system directories, and implementing least privilege principles for Adobe application installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper path quoting in Windows applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for application security hardening. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other applications that may be susceptible to similar unquoted search path vulnerabilities, as this represents a common security flaw in legacy Windows applications that have not been properly updated to follow modern security coding practices.