CVE-2017-3006 in Thor
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Thor versions 3.9.5.353 and earlier have a vulnerability related to the use of improper resource permissions during the installation of Creative Cloud desktop applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2020
Adobe Thor represents a critical component in the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem serving as the primary installer and update manager for desktop applications. This vulnerability stems from inadequate permission handling during the installation process where the installer fails to properly secure temporary files and registry entries created during the software deployment. The flaw allows for potential privilege escalation scenarios where malicious actors could manipulate installation artifacts to execute code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability specifically affects Adobe Thor versions 3.9.5.353 and earlier, indicating that the permission management logic was not properly hardened against adversarial manipulation. The improper resource permissions create a persistent attack surface that could be exploited by adversaries to gain unauthorized access to system resources. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-276 which describes improper permissions for a resource, a category that encompasses inadequate access control mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access. The operational impact extends beyond simple installation manipulation as it provides a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers could leverage this weakness to install malicious software, modify existing applications, or establish persistence mechanisms within the target environment. The vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in Adobe's installation security model where temporary files are not properly secured, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code during the installation process. This issue particularly affects enterprise environments where Adobe Creative Cloud applications are widely deployed and where proper access controls should be maintained. The risk is amplified by the fact that these installations often occur with elevated privileges, making the exploitation of such permission flaws particularly dangerous. The vulnerability demonstrates poor least privilege implementation where installation processes do not adequately restrict access to temporary resources. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a common pattern in software installation processes where temporary file management is insufficiently secured. The remediation approach requires proper implementation of secure temporary file handling with appropriate access controls and permissions. Organizations should ensure that all Adobe Creative Cloud installations are updated to versions that address this permission handling flaw. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper resource cleanup and access control enforcement during software deployment operations. This type of weakness commonly occurs in enterprise software where installation processes are not adequately sandboxed or secured against adversarial manipulation. The impact on system integrity is significant as it allows for potential code execution with elevated privileges. The vulnerability further demonstrates how installer components can serve as attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. Organizations should implement monitoring for unusual installation activity and ensure that proper access controls are enforced throughout the installation lifecycle. The security implications extend to potential lateral movement opportunities where an attacker could use the compromised installation process to access other system resources. This vulnerability exemplifies how improper resource management in installation processes can create persistent security risks that extend far beyond the initial point of exploitation. The remediation process involves updating to Adobe Thor versions that properly implement resource permission controls and ensure that temporary installation artifacts are adequately secured. System administrators should also implement proper access control policies and monitor for unauthorized installation activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.