CVE-2021-28633 in Creative Cloud Desktop Application
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2021
Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application (installer) version 2.4 (and earlier) is affected by an Insecure temporary file creation vulnerability. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to cause arbitrary file overwriting in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires physical interaction to the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-28633 affects Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application installer version 2.4 and earlier, representing a critical insecure temporary file creation flaw that exposes systems to arbitrary file overwriting attacks. This vulnerability resides within the installer component of Adobe's Creative Cloud suite, specifically targeting how the application handles temporary file creation during the installation process. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate the temporary file creation mechanism to overwrite arbitrary files on the target system with malicious content, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of temporary file creation procedures within the Adobe installer framework. When the installer executes, it creates temporary files in predictable locations without adequate security measures to prevent unauthorized access or manipulation. This insecure practice creates opportunities for attackers to position malicious files in the same temporary directories, leading to file overwrites when the installer processes these temporary resources. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-377, which addresses insecure temporary file creation practices, and demonstrates how inadequate file handling can lead to privilege escalation scenarios. The attack vector requires physical interaction with the system, meaning an attacker must have access to the target machine to execute the exploit, typically through local user access or social engineering to gain initial foothold.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user context. Since the installer runs with elevated privileges during installation processes, successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify critical system files, install malicious software, or establish persistence mechanisms within the target environment. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Adobe Creative Cloud applications are widely deployed, as attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to systems through legitimate software installation processes. The requirement for physical interaction limits the scope of remote exploitation but does not eliminate the threat, especially in environments where attackers have physical access or can trick users into executing malicious installer components. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers might leverage compromised installation processes to execute malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-28633 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application versions to the latest releases that address the insecure temporary file creation vulnerability. Organizations must implement strict access controls and user permission management to limit the ability of unauthorized individuals to interact with system installation processes. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments focusing on temporary file handling practices within software installation components, particularly those that execute with elevated privileges. System administrators should monitor for unusual file creation patterns in temporary directories and implement file integrity monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only executing installation packages from trusted sources and avoiding interaction with suspicious installation prompts. Network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring and blocking unauthorized installation activities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly in installation and update mechanisms where temporary file handling can create significant security exposure points.