CVE-2021-43017 is a vulnerability identified in Adobe GoCart, a component of Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop installer versions 5.5 and earlier. The issue is classified under CWE-379, which pertains to the creation of temporary files in directories with incorrect permissions. Specifically, this vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker with root privileges to exploit improper permission settings during the installation process of the Creative Cloud Desktop application. By planting a malicious file in a temporary directory that is not securely permissioned, the attacker can cause an application denial of service (DoS) condition. The attack requires user interaction prior to product installation, meaning the victim must initiate or approve the installation process for the vulnerability to be exploited. Although the attacker must already have root-level access, the vulnerability enables them to disrupt the installation process by leveraging insecure temporary file handling, potentially leading to service interruptions or application failures. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided information. The vulnerability is medium severity, reflecting the limited scope of exploitation (root access required and user interaction needed) but recognizing the potential impact on system availability during installation.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2021-43017 is the potential for denial of service during the installation or update of Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop applications. Since Adobe Creative Cloud is widely used across creative industries, marketing, media, and design sectors, disruption in installation processes could delay deployment of critical software updates or new installations, impacting productivity. The requirement for root privileges limits the risk to scenarios where an attacker already has significant system access, reducing the likelihood of widespread exploitation. However, in environments where Adobe Creative Cloud is deployed on shared or multi-user systems, or where privileged access controls are less stringent, this vulnerability could be leveraged to disrupt workflows. The denial of service could also affect automated deployment pipelines or managed IT environments if installation failures occur. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are minimal, as the vulnerability does not enable unauthorized data access or modification. The availability impact is localized to the installation process, not ongoing application operation. Given the lack of known exploits, the immediate threat level is moderate but should not be ignored in environments with high reliance on Adobe Creative Cloud.

To mitigate CVE-2021-43017, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict root-level access strictly to trusted administrators and enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the risk of an attacker having the required privileges to exploit this vulnerability. 2) Prior to installing or updating Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop, verify the integrity and permissions of temporary directories used during installation to ensure they are not writable by unauthorized users. 3) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions that monitor and restrict unauthorized file creation or modification in system temporary directories. 4) Use sandboxing or containerization techniques for software installation processes where feasible to isolate the installer from the rest of the system and prevent malicious file planting. 5) Monitor installation logs and system events for unusual activity during Adobe Creative Cloud installations, which could indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Stay informed about Adobe's official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7) Educate users and IT staff about the requirement for user interaction in this attack vector to reduce the risk of inadvertent exploitation during installation.