CVE-2021-43019 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Adobe Creative Cloud version 5.5 and earlier are affected by a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Setup.exe service resources, allowing attackers to escalate privileges under the context of SYSTEM.

Understanding CVE-2021-43019

Adobe Creative Cloud Incorrect Permission Assignment Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

What is CVE-2021-43019?

Adobe Creative Cloud version 5.5 and earlier are susceptible to privilege escalation due to an incorrect permission assignment in the Setup.exe service.
Attackers can potentially remove files and elevate privileges to SYSTEM level.
Exploiting this vulnerability requires executing low-privileged code on the targeted system before product installation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-43019

Base Score: 7.8 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized privilege escalation, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-43019

Adobe Creative Cloud Incorrect Permission Assignment Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit resources leveraged by Setup.exe service for privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Creative Cloud (desktop component)
Vendor: Adobe
Versions: 5.5 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers leverage the vulnerability during product installation to execute low-privileged code, enabling privilege escalation to SYSTEM level.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take
Update Adobe Creative Cloud to the latest version.
Exercise caution when executing unknown files or software.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly monitor and apply security updates for all software.
Implement least-privilege access controls to restrict system privileges.
Patching and Updates
Adobe may release patches and updates to address this vulnerability.