CVE-2021-28613
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application allows an attacker with local access, administrator privileges, and user interaction to arbitrarily overwrite files. It affects users running version 5.4 or earlier. Successful exploitation could lead to system compromise or data manipulation.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could overwrite critical system files, leading to complete system compromise, data destruction, or persistence mechanisms.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or targeted file manipulation affecting user data and application integrity.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to required local access, admin privileges, and user interaction - proper access controls significantly reduce risk.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires multiple conditions: local access, admin privileges, and user interaction.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.5 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/creative-cloud/apsb21-76.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application. 2. Click on the gear icon. 3. Select 'Preferences'. 4. Go to 'Apps' tab. 5. Click 'Update' next to Creative Cloud Desktop App. 6. Restart the application when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Local Administrative Access
allLimit the number of users with local administrator privileges to reduce attack surface.
User Awareness Training
allEducate users about not running untrusted applications or granting unnecessary permissions.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least-privilege access controls and limit local administrator accounts
- Monitor for suspicious file modification activities and implement application whitelisting
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Creative Cloud Desktop Application version in Preferences > Apps tabCheck Version:
On Windows: Check 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Creative Cloud\ACC\Creative Cloud.exe' properties. On macOS: Check '/Applications/Utilities/Adobe Creative Cloud/ACC/Creative Cloud.app' version.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 5.5 or later in Preferences > Apps tab📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected file modification events in Creative Cloud directories
- Administrative privilege escalation attempts
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
EventID 4688 (Windows) with Creative Cloud process creating/modifying files outside expected directories