CVE-2021-21069 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application version 5.3 and earlier. The vulnerability arises due to improper input validation (CWE-20) within the desktop component of Adobe Creative Cloud. Specifically, an attacker with local access can exploit this flaw by invoking functions against the installer component to perform actions that require elevated privileges. This means that an attacker who already has limited access to a system can escalate their privileges to a higher level, potentially gaining administrative rights. Notably, exploitation of this vulnerability does not require any user interaction, which increases the risk as it can be triggered silently once the attacker has local access. The vulnerability is rooted in the desktop application's failure to properly validate inputs before passing them to privileged installer functions, allowing unauthorized execution of high-privilege operations. There are no known exploits in the wild reported for this vulnerability, and Adobe has not provided specific patch links in the provided data, though it is likely that later versions have addressed this issue. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed in March 2021 and is categorized under CWE-20, indicating a failure in input validation mechanisms.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-21069 can be significant, particularly in environments where Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop is widely deployed. Since the vulnerability allows local privilege escalation without user interaction, an attacker who gains initial access through other means (e.g., phishing, malware, or insider threat) can leverage this flaw to gain administrative control over affected systems. This can lead to unauthorized installation of software, disabling of security controls, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network. Organizations in sectors with high reliance on Adobe Creative Cloud for creative and design workflows—such as media, advertising, publishing, and education—may be particularly vulnerable. Additionally, compromised systems could serve as footholds for broader attacks against critical infrastructure or intellectual property theft. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits over time. The vulnerability's medium severity rating reflects a moderate risk level, but the ease of privilege escalation without user interaction elevates its potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems.

To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-21069, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Upgrade Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application to the latest version beyond 5.3 where the vulnerability is patched; if immediate upgrade is not possible, consider temporarily uninstalling the desktop component or restricting its use. 2) Enforce strict local access controls and limit user privileges to the minimum necessary, reducing the chance that an attacker can gain initial local access. 3) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block unauthorized attempts to invoke installer functions or escalate privileges. 4) Monitor system logs and audit trails for unusual installer activity or privilege escalation attempts, enabling early detection of exploitation attempts. 5) Implement network segmentation to isolate systems running Adobe Creative Cloud, limiting lateral movement opportunities. 6) Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of applying patches promptly. 7) Regularly review and update security policies related to software installation and privilege management to ensure they align with best practices.