CVE-2018-4991 in Creative Cloud Desktop Application
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application versions 4.4.1.298 and earlier have an exploitable Improper certificate validation vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to a security bypass.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4991 represents a critical improper certificate validation flaw that affects versions 4.4.1.298 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the application's certificate validation mechanism, which is fundamental to establishing secure communication channels and verifying the authenticity of software updates. The flaw allows attackers to bypass security controls that should normally prevent the installation of unsigned or malicious updates, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution and potential system compromise.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-295 which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1195.001 for "Phishing" and T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers could exploit this weakness to deliver malicious payloads through compromised update channels. The improper certificate validation occurs when the application fails to properly verify SSL/TLS certificates during the update process, allowing man-in-the-middle attacks to succeed. Attackers can create fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the application, enabling them to intercept communications and inject malicious code into the update stream.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple security bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that protects users from malicious software delivery. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can install malicious software that appears to be legitimate Adobe updates, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects users who rely on Adobe Creative Cloud for professional creative workflows, making it particularly concerning for organizations that depend on these applications for critical business operations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application version 4.4.2.300 or later, which contains the necessary certificate validation fixes. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious update activity and consider implementing additional security controls such as network-based certificate pinning or deep packet inspection to detect anomalous update traffic. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The remediation process should include verification that the update mechanism functions correctly and that proper certificate validation occurs during subsequent update cycles.