CVE-2020-9671
📋 TL;DR
Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application versions 5.1 and earlier have insecure file permissions that allow local users to modify files with elevated privileges. This vulnerability enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers can gain higher system permissions. All users running affected Creative Cloud Desktop Application versions are impacted.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with administrative privileges, allowing installation of malware, data theft, and complete system control.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions, potentially leading to persistence mechanisms or lateral movement.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls and least privilege principles are enforced, though local users could still gain elevated privileges.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access to the system. The vulnerability is in file permissions that can be manipulated by local users.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.2 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/creative-cloud/apsb20-33.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application. 2. Click on the gear icon (Settings). 3. Select 'Preferences'. 4. Click 'Update' tab. 5. Click 'Update' button to install version 5.2 or later. 6. Restart the application and system if prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove vulnerable application
windowsUninstall Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application if not required
Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Select Adobe Creative Cloud > Uninstall
Restrict local user access
allLimit local user privileges to prevent exploitation
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and least privilege principles for all user accounts
- Monitor for suspicious file permission changes and privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application version in Settings > Preferences > General tabCheck Version:
On Windows: Check 'About Creative Cloud' in application menu. On macOS: Creative Cloud menu > About Creative CloudVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 5.2 or later in application settings📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected file permission changes in Creative Cloud directories
- Privilege escalation attempts in system logs
- Unauthorized access to protected system files
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from Creative Cloud processes
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND ProcessName LIKE '%Creative%Cloud%' AND NewProcessName LIKE '%cmd%' OR '%powershell%'