CVE-2021-28597 is a vulnerability found in Adobe Photoshop Elements version 5.2 and earlier, involving the insecure creation of temporary files in directories with incorrect permissions (classified under CWE-379). This vulnerability arises because the application creates temporary files in locations where permissions are not properly restricted, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to potentially manipulate these files. By exploiting this weakness, an attacker can invoke installer functions to perform actions with elevated privileges. Notably, exploitation does not require any user interaction, increasing the risk of automated or remote attacks. The vulnerability primarily affects the installer component of Photoshop Elements, which runs with higher privileges, thus enabling privilege escalation if exploited. Although no known public exploits have been reported in the wild, the underlying issue represents a significant security risk due to the potential for unauthorized high-privilege operations. The lack of a patch link suggests that remediation may require vendor intervention or workaround measures. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2021 and publicly disclosed in June 2021, with a medium severity rating assigned by Adobe. The core technical issue is the improper handling of temporary files, which can be manipulated by attackers to execute arbitrary code or commands with elevated privileges, compromising system integrity and confidentiality.

For European organizations, the exploitation of CVE-2021-28597 could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation on systems running vulnerable versions of Adobe Photoshop Elements. This could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The impact includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of business operations, and the potential for lateral movement within corporate networks. Given that Photoshop Elements is widely used in creative industries, marketing, media, and design sectors, organizations in these fields could face significant operational and reputational damage. Furthermore, since exploitation does not require user interaction, automated attacks or worm-like propagation within networks are plausible, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for deploying ransomware or other malware, exacerbating the impact on availability and data integrity. Confidentiality is at risk due to potential unauthorized data access, integrity is threatened by possible unauthorized modifications, and availability could be affected if the system is destabilized or taken offline by attackers.

European organizations should implement specific mitigation strategies beyond generic patching advice. First, verify the installed versions of Adobe Photoshop Elements across all endpoints and prioritize upgrading to versions beyond 5.2 or applying any vendor-provided patches or workarounds once available. In the absence of official patches, restrict permissions on directories used for temporary file creation by Photoshop Elements installers to prevent unauthorized file manipulation. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to monitor and block unauthorized execution of installer functions. Network segmentation should be used to isolate systems running Photoshop Elements, limiting potential lateral movement. Regularly audit system logs for unusual installer activity or privilege escalations. Additionally, implement strict user privilege management to minimize the number of users with administrative rights, reducing the impact of potential exploitation. Employ intrusion detection systems (IDS) tuned to detect anomalous installer behavior. Finally, educate IT and security teams about this specific vulnerability to ensure rapid response if exploitation attempts are detected.