CVE-2018-4924 in Dreamweaver CC
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Dreamweaver CC versions 18.0 and earlier have an OS Command Injection vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2020
Adobe Dreamweaver CC versions 18.0 and earlier contain a critical operating system command injection vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation within the application's processing pipeline. This flaw exists when the software fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability manifests when Dreamweaver processes user input that is subsequently used in operating system calls without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the current user context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting specially formatted input that bypasses the application's input validation controls and gets interpreted as legitimate system commands by the underlying operating system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute commands directly on the target system, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, installing malware, or establishing persistent access points. The impact is particularly severe because the executed commands run with the same privileges as the Dreamweaver application process, which could be elevated if the application is running with administrative privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77 as it represents a classic command injection flaw where user-controllable data is improperly integrated into operating system commands.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass broader security compromise scenarios. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate the target system in ways that may go undetected for extended periods, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Dreamweaver might be used by multiple users with varying privilege levels, as the attack surface expands beyond individual user accounts to potentially affect entire organizational systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, representing both execution and privilege elevation attack vectors.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official Adobe security patches that address the input validation deficiencies in Dreamweaver's command processing logic. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Dreamweaver installations to trusted users only. Additionally, monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation strategy should include disabling unnecessary Dreamweaver functionality, implementing application whitelisting controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. Regular updates and patch management processes must be enforced to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, as this issue represents a well-documented threat that has been addressed through official security releases.