CVE-2021-43017 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2021-43017 affecting Adobe Creative Cloud version 5.5 and earlier. Find mitigation steps and prevention methods against this denial of service vulnerability.
Adobe Creative Cloud version 5.5 (and earlier) are affected by an Application denial of service vulnerability in the Creative Cloud Desktop installer. An authenticated attacker with root privileges could leverage this vulnerability to achieve denial of service by planting a malicious file on the victim's local machine. User interaction is required before product installation to abuse this vulnerability.
Understanding CVE-2021-43017
Adobe Creative Cloud DLL Hijacking Local Application Denial of Service
What is CVE-2021-43017?
Adobe Creative Cloud version 5.5 and prior versions are vulnerable to an application denial of service exploit in the Creative Cloud Desktop installer. An attacker authenticated with root privileges can trigger a denial of service by inserting a malicious file during the product installation process.
The Impact of CVE-2021-43017
The vulnerability poses a medium-severity threat, with a CVSS base score of 4.2. The attack requires local access and user interaction, but could lead to a high impact on availability, disrupting the affected system.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-43017
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability involves DLL hijacking in Adobe Creative Cloud, allowing an attacker to execute a denial of service attack by manipulating files during the installation process.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: GoCart
- Vendor: Adobe
- Versions affected: <= 5.5, <= None
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Attack Vector: Local
- Privileges Required: High
- User Interaction: Required
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Ensure user awareness regarding the installation process and potential risks of interacting with malicious files during setup.
- Implement least privilege access to limit potential exploitation by authenticated attackers.
- Monitor system logs for any suspicious activity related to file manipulation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update Adobe Creative Cloud to the latest version to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security training for system administrators to enhance understanding of security risks and preventive measures.
Patching and Updates
- Adobe has released patches addressing this vulnerability. Ensure prompt installation of these security updates to safeguard systems.