Adobe Creative Cloud version 5.5 (and earlier) are affected by a privilege escalation vulnerability in the resources leveraged by the Setup.exe service. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to remove files and escalate privileges under the context of SYSTEM. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability on the product installer. User interaction is required before product installation to abuse this vulnerability.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as high with a CVSS score of 7.8. This indicates significant risk to organizations utilizing affected versions, as it allows for potential unauthorized access and control over the system.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized file removal and privilege escalation. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated access, posing a significant threat to the integrity and confidentiality of the system.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. With the ongoing threat landscape, the potential for exploitation should not be underestimated, and timely remediation is essential.
Vulnerability Details
Adobe Creative Cloud version 5.5 (and earlier) are affected by a privilege escalation vulnerability in the resources leveraged by the Setup.exe service. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to remove files and escalate privileges under the context of SYSTEM. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability on the product installer. User interaction is required before product installation to abuse this vulnerability.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-732 which indicates improper permission assignment for critical resources. The CVSS score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with a base score derived from a local attack vector, low attack complexity, and the requirement of user interaction.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of permissions within the Setup.exe service of Adobe Creative Cloud. An attacker with access to the system can execute low-privileged code, leading to potential privilege escalation. The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to have physical or remote access to the system.
The attack complexity is low, as the attacker only needs to execute code in a low-privileged context. No elevated privileges are required initially, but user interaction is necessary before the installation of the product.
Confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated high, indicating that successful exploitation can lead to significant control over the affected system.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with this vulnerability is considerable. Organizations running the affected version of Adobe Creative Cloud are exposed to attacks that could lead to unauthorized file access and system control. A successful exploitation can allow attackers to manipulate sensitive data and potentially compromise the entire system.
The urgency assessment is high based on the CVSS score and potential for exploitation. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to prevent any possible exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
This vulnerability affects Adobe Creative Cloud versions 5.5 and earlier. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest version to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should patch Adobe Creative Cloud to the latest version immediately to remediate this vulnerability. For more details, please refer to the vendor's advisory at Adobe's official advisory. If a patch is not yet available, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting the execution of low-privileged code and monitoring for unusual activities during the installation process.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of the exploitation of this vulnerability. Look for unusual file deletions or modifications during the installation of Adobe Creative Cloud. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected user interactions or installations should also be flagged for further investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices within application development. As software continues to evolve, so too do the vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors. Security teams should focus on implementing robust security measures and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.
This vulnerability also represents a trend towards privilege escalation vulnerabilities that can be exploited through local access. Security teams must remain vigilant and ensure that all code executed on their systems is thoroughly vetted and validated.
Organizations can benefit from establishing a comprehensive security posture that includes regular penetration testing. For more information, refer to our guide on vulnerability management best practices and how to effectively manage application security.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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