Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-43019 is a local privilege escalation in Adobe Creative Cloud desktop component 5.5 and earlier. An attacker who can already run low-privileged code on a Windows endpoint could abuse installer-related resources to remove files and gain SYSTEM-level privileges. The bundle does not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority endpoint hygiene issue where Adobe Creative Cloud is installed. It is not presented as internet-exploitable, but successful abuse could turn limited local access into full SYSTEM control on affected workstations.
Technical view
The issue is an incorrect permission assignment (CWE-732) affecting resources used by the Setup.exe service. CVSS 3.0 is 7.8 high: local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on workstations with Adobe Creative Cloud desktop component version 5.5 or earlier, especially endpoints where users can initiate or interact with Creative Cloud installation workflows.
Exploitation context
Sources describe a local post-compromise escalation path, not a remote entry point. The attacker must first execute low-privileged code on the target, and user interaction before product installation is required. The provided data says this CVE is not in KEV.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports local privilege escalation through incorrect permissions on Setup.exe service resources. The source bundle does not include exploit-in-the-wild evidence, proof-of-concept status, or exact fixed version details beyond pointing to Adobe APSB21-111.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory endpoints running Adobe Creative Cloud desktop component.
- Prioritize systems at version 5.5 or earlier.
- Review and apply Adobe APSB21-111 vendor guidance.
- Limit unnecessary local installer execution on managed endpoints.
- Use endpoint controls to reduce low-privileged code execution opportunities.
Validation and detection
- Check installed Creative Cloud desktop component versions across endpoints.
- Confirm whether any systems are version 5.5 or earlier.
- Verify remediation status against Adobe APSB21-111 guidance.
- Review endpoint logs for suspicious installer-related file removal activity.
- Track that this CVE is not KEV-listed in the provided bundle.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-732: Authorization and privilege behavior lookup
Authorization weaknesses can support privilege escalation and valid-account review, depending on exploit path. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-43019 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/creative-cloud/apsb21-111.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.