CVE-2021-28613 in Creative Cloud Desktop Application
Summary
by MITRE • 09/28/2021
Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application version 5.4 (and earlier) is affected by a file handling vulnerability that could allow an attacker to arbitrarily overwrite a file. Exploitation of this issue requires local access, administrator privileges and user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-28613 affects Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application version 5.4 and earlier, representing a critical file handling flaw that could enable arbitrary file overwrite operations. This vulnerability exists within the application's file processing mechanisms and demonstrates a significant security weakness that could be exploited by attackers with specific privileges and access conditions. The flaw specifically relates to how the application handles file operations during installation or update processes, creating opportunities for malicious file replacement that could compromise system integrity and potentially lead to broader security breaches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and file handling procedures within the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application. When the application processes certain file operations, it fails to properly validate file paths or implement sufficient access controls during file overwrite scenarios. This weakness allows an attacker with administrator privileges to manipulate the file system in ways that could result in critical system files being replaced with malicious alternatives. The vulnerability operates at the file system level and leverages the application's legitimate file handling capabilities to execute unauthorized operations. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in file handling operations that could lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires local system access, administrative privileges, and user interaction to successfully exploit the vulnerability, making it more difficult to achieve remotely but still pose a significant threat within compromised environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-28613 extends beyond simple file overwrite scenarios and could enable attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Once exploited, the vulnerability could allow attackers to replace legitimate executable files with malicious alternatives, potentially creating backdoors or enabling further privilege escalation attacks. The requirement for administrator privileges and user interaction limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk, particularly in environments where administrative accounts are compromised or where social engineering tactics could be employed to trick users into executing malicious payloads. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution and T1547 for privilege escalation, demonstrating how file system manipulation can lead to broader system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application face potential risks including data integrity compromise, system availability issues, and possible lateral movement within networks where the application is installed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-28613 should prioritize immediate application updates to version 5.5 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the file handling vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict access controls and ensure that only authorized personnel have administrative privileges on systems where Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application is installed. Regular security audits should verify that the application is running the patched version and that no unauthorized modifications have occurred to the application files or installation directories. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file system activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of not executing unknown or untrusted files, particularly during application installation or update processes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include file integrity monitoring, access control enforcement, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of similar file handling vulnerabilities in other applications.