CVE-2021-28581 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop 3.5 and earlier versions are impacted by an uncontrolled search path vulnerability that could lead to a local privilege escalation. It requires user interaction, where a victim must log onto the attacker's local machine.

Understanding CVE-2021-28581

This section delves into what CVE-2021-28581 entails, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-28581?

CVE-2021-28581 involves an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability in the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop component. The vulnerability could allow attackers to elevate privileges locally.

The Impact of CVE-2021-28581

The vulnerability, with a CVSS base score of 7.3, has a high severity level and could result in confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. Exploitation requires low privileges but user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-28581

This section explores the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop 3.5 and earlier versions suffer from an uncontrolled search path vulnerability that threat actors could abuse for local privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Creative Cloud desktop components with versions 5.3 and earlier, potentially impacting systems where user interaction can be manipulated for privilege escalation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2021-28581 demands that an attacker lure a victim to log into their local machine, initiating the privilege escalation process.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-28581.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users must update Adobe Creative Cloud to a secure version, regularly monitor for security bulletins, and ensure users do not interact with potentially malicious local machines.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing least privilege access, security awareness training, and regular security updates can bolster an organization's security posture against such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released patches addressing the vulnerability. Organizations should promptly apply these patches to protect their systems and prevent potential breaches.