CVE-2021-21069 in Creative Cloud Desktop Application
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2021
Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application version 5.3 (and earlier) is affected by a local privilege escalation vulnerability that could allow an attacker to call functions against the installer to perform high privileged actions. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-21069 affects Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application version 5.3 and earlier, representing a critical local privilege escalation flaw that can be exploited without user interaction. This vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling within the application's installer component, creating a pathway for attackers to execute high-privileged functions through direct calls to installer APIs. The flaw exists in the application's architecture where installer functions are exposed with insufficient access controls, allowing local malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system administrator level. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate installer functionality to gain elevated privileges, making detection more challenging and exploitation more straightforward.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate or restrict access to installer functions that should only be executable by privileged processes. When the Creative Cloud Desktop Application runs with elevated privileges during installation or update processes, it exposes API endpoints or function calls that can be invoked by local users without proper authentication or authorization checks. This misconfiguration creates an attack surface where malicious code can directly call these installer functions to perform actions such as modifying system files, installing malicious software, or altering registry settings. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper privilege management, and represents a classic example of insufficient access control where the application fails to properly enforce security boundaries between user and system contexts.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2021-21069 enables attackers to gain complete system control without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Adobe Creative Cloud applications are widely deployed. Once escalated to system privileges, attackers can install backdoors, modify system configurations, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects not only individual workstations but also creates potential for lateral movement within networks where multiple users may have the same application installed. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to bypass standard security controls and can be combined with other vulnerabilities to achieve more extensive compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction, meaning systems can be compromised simply by having the vulnerable application installed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-21069 focus on immediate application updates and system hardening measures to prevent exploitation. Organizations should prioritize updating to Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application version 5.4 or later, which contains patches addressing the privilege escalation vulnerability. System administrators should implement least privilege principles by running the application with minimal required privileges and monitor for unauthorized installer function calls. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining updated software versions and monitoring system calls. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, restricting write access to installer directories, and conducting regular security audits to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and establish monitoring protocols for unusual installer activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.