--- title: "Threat Actors Exploit Adobe’s Creative Cloud | Phish Protection" description: "Entrepreneurs using Adobe Creative Cloud as a part of their organizational operations need to guard against a new cyberattack model employed by threat actors." image: "https://phishprotection.com/og/blog/threat-actors-exploit-adobes-creative-cloud.png" canonical: "https://phishprotection.com/blog/threat-actors-exploit-adobes-creative-cloud/" --- Quick Answer Global organizations extensively use Adobe Creative Cloud, the popular collection of apps for designing images, videos, and the web, as well as tools for creating \[images generated by AI\](https://create.vista.com/features/ai-image-generator/). With the security of your organizational data at stake, it makes sense to seek \[anti-phishing solutions\](/products/advanced-threat-defense/). Given that financial organizations continue to be the \[top target of adversaries\](https://www.statista.com/statistics/266161/websites-most-affected-by-phishing/), it's time to take adequate countermeasures. Share [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphishprotection.com%2Fblog%2Fthreat-actors-exploit-adobes-creative-cloud%2F "Share on LinkedIn") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Threat%20Actors%20Exploit%20Adobe%26%238217%3Bs%20Creative%20Cloud&url=https%3A%2F%2Fphishprotection.com%2Fblog%2Fthreat-actors-exploit-adobes-creative-cloud%2F "Share on X/Twitter") [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fphishprotection.com%2Fblog%2Fthreat-actors-exploit-adobes-creative-cloud%2F "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphishprotection.com%2Fblog%2Fthreat-actors-exploit-adobes-creative-cloud%2F&title=Threat%20Actors%20Exploit%20Adobe%26%238217%3Bs%20Creative%20Cloud "Share on Reddit") [ ](mailto:?subject=Threat%20Actors%20Exploit%20Adobe%26%238217%3Bs%20Creative%20Cloud&body=Check out this article: https%3A%2F%2Fphishprotection.com%2Fblog%2Fthreat-actors-exploit-adobes-creative-cloud%2F "Share via Email") ![Phish Protection blog post image](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2022/01/protection-from-phishing-4671.jpg) _Entrepreneurs using Adobe Creative Cloud as a part of their organizational operations need to guard against a new cyberattack_ model employed by threat actors. Other loopholes call for more **robust countermeasures** even when deploying adequate [phishing solutions](/). Malicious actors are leveraging the popular application, Adobe Creative Cloud, to dispatch malicious links to users that seem legitimate. Failure to have robust [email phishing protection](/products/email-impersonation-protection/) mechanisms in place would compromise your credentials. Global organizations extensively use Adobe Creative Cloud, the popular collection of apps for designing images, videos, and the web, as well as tools for creating [images generated by AI](https://create.vista.com/features/ai-image-generator/). With the security of your organizational data at stake, it makes sense to seek [anti-phishing solutions](/products/advanced-threat-defense/). Given that financial organizations continue to be the [top target of adversaries](https://www.statista.com/statistics/266161/websites-most-affected-by-phishing/), it’s time to take adequate countermeasures. ### The New Attack Model Threat actors are heavily exploiting the popularity of the software suite to bypass solutions that **ensure email security**. This attack is a relatively more straightforward mechanism for the adversaries to steal user credentials. Experts at Avanan detected the security breach last December, where they noticed that potential attackers created Adobe accounts to carry out malicious activities. Once they come up with the account, they import a file in PDF format in the storage of Adobe Cloud. This file contains _links leading to websites they use to steal user credentials._ As the attackers shared the files using Adobe Creative Cloud, the malicious links appeared legitimate to the victims. Moreover, _the new attack model has been designed to bypass the ATP_ ([Advanced Threat Protection](/products/advanced-threat-defense/)) and other security measures. This explains why your organization needs the [best phishing protection](/) tools to weed out malicious links. ![Protection from phishing](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2022/01/protection-from-phishing-4671.jpg) ### How Does The Campaign Work? Cybersecurity experts who have been closely monitoring the malicious activities shared specific screenshots outlining how the attackers carry out the campaign. It appears that the perpetrators sent a PDF file titled **‘Closing.pdf**‘ from Adobe. The recipient comes across an option labeled ‘**Open**,’ thinking that they can open the file. However, the file doesn’t work as per the victim’s expectations. Instead, they get redirected to the Adobe Document Cloud page. Here, they find the option to **‘Access Document**.’ However, _the link will take the user to the page where the malicious actors steal their credentials_. This page lies outside the Adobe Suite, and the organization ends up compromising its data. In a nutshell, _the adversaries deploy this model to dispatch various documents that resemble the original ones from Adobe Cloud_. Eventually, unsuspecting users end up being victims of malicious activities. Hence, businesses need to have powerful [phishing protection tools](/content/anti-phishing-software/anti-phishing-tools/) and [anti-ransomware solutions](/products/malware-and-ransomware-protection/) to draw their defensive line against the threat. ### Adobe, A Repeated Threat Target and Vulnerability Source The current attack on [Adobe Creative Cloud](https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2021/Adobe-Introduces-Creative-Cloud-Express/default.aspx) has not been the only vulnerability incident associated with Adobe products. There have been other similar episodes of compromise with the software giant earlier. Two noteworthy incidents within the past few years occurred in 2019 and 2013, respectively. A brief description follows: #### ElasticSearch Database Error Affecting 7.5 Million Users In the [incident reported](https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/fr/security/news/virtualization-and-cloud/misconfigured-elasticsearch-database-exposed-almost-7-5-million-adobe-creative-cloud-users-records) in October 2019 by security researchersBob Diachenko and Comparitech, information such as last login time, country of origin, and account creation date of **7.5 million** Adobe users allegedly remained exposed for a week. Though the situation did not reveal other critical information such as credit card details, such incidents could easily lead to [phishing scams](/blog/the-latest-phishing-scams-hackers-can-bypass-two-factor-authentication/). They warrant serious thought as to [how to stop phishing emails](/content/protection-from-phishing/how-to-stop-phishing-emails/) permanently. #### Breach On Adobe Compromising 38 Million Accounts This attack by malicious actors involving extensive user data compromise in October 2013 was [reported by KrebsonSecurity](https://krebsonsecurity.com/2013/10/adobe-breach-impacted-at-least-38-million-users/). It exposed **around 38 million** users’ login information and 3 million credit card details besides the source code of multiple Adobe products. The victims were not users of a particular Adobe product. They could have been [spread over various Adobe products](https://krebsonsecurity.com/2013/10/adobe-to-announce-source-code-customer-data-breach/), including Creative Cloud, Acrobat, Reader, Photoshop, etc. However, _Adobe claimed that exposed credit card details were in encrypted condition_. Such incidents must constantly remind users that _even giant software providers are not free from vulnerabilities_, despite the highest **security measures**. It only emphasizes utmost caution by users and organizations using such products in [security awareness](/products/phishing-awareness-training/) and periodically examining and updating the security level of safeguards implemented. ### What Can Organizations Do To Mitigate Risk? ![Email phishing protection](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2022/01/email-phishing-protection-5379.jpg) As an organizational head, you must know how to [stop phishing emails](/content/stop-phishing-emails/) associated with such threats. Here are some effective measures that can work. - It makes sense to leverage your **email phishing protection** as a primary measure. You may consult experts to have the best [phishing protection software](/) in place. - Secondly, _organizations need to train their employees on countering such new attack models_. Given that [human errors lead](https://www.cybintsolutions.com/cyber-security-facts-stats/) to **95% of security breaches**, you can improve your security mechanism by adequately **training your employees**. - Close examination of the email content would also work in your favor. Before clicking on any document or link or furnishing your credentials, _check the format and spellings in the message for possible errors_. - AI-driven analysis in advanced [anti-phishing tools](/content/anti-phishing-software/anti-phishing-tools/) is anticipated to be the next big thing to counter such threats. - Opening the PDF files in the sandbox would also work, and you need to scrutinize all the incoming links for malicious threats. - Resetting your password frequently would rule out a possible **credential theft**. ### Final Words _Phishing still remains a critical attack vector in the continually expanding digital space_. The current vulnerability of Adobe’s Creative Cloud, besides its earlier vulnerability episodes, further demonstrates the value of investing in [employee training](/products/phishing-awareness-training/) and integrating advanced [anti-phishing solutions](/) to combat threats. Forward-thinking enterprise leaders have collaborated with cybersecurity experts to _keep phishing attempts at bay_. As an enterprise owner with concern, it makes sense to draw your line of defense before it is too late. ## Topics [ Phishing ](/tags/phishing/) ![Brad Slavin](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/authors/brad-slavin.jpg) [ Brad Slavin ](/authors/brad-slavin/) General Manager Founder and General Manager of DuoCircle. Product strategy and commercial lead across DuoCircle's 2,000+ customer base. [LinkedIn Profile →](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradslavin) ## Protect your inbox from phishing attacks Real-time email security with 60-day free trial. No credit card required. [Start Free Trial](https://portal.duocircle.com/cart.php?a=add&pid=101&brand=phishprotection) [View Pricing](/pricing/) ## Related Articles [ Foundational 5m 0ktapus, Okta Breach Helps Attackers Launch Sophisticated Supply Chain Attacks Sep 5, 2022 ](/blog/0ktapus-okta-breach-helps-attackers-launch-sophisticated-supply-chain-attacks/)[ Foundational 4m 13 Spear Phishing Attacks Examples To Justify Investment For Phishing Prevention Solutions In Your Organization Aug 1, 2019 ](/blog/13-spear-phishing-attacks-examples-to-justify-investment-for-phishing-prevention-solutions-in-your-organization/)[ Foundational 4m All 14 centers of Kettering Health were affected by a massive ransomware attack, Major outage in the Ohio medical center May 23, 2025 ](/blog/14-centers-of-kettering-health-were-affected-by-massive-ransomware-attack-in-ohio-medical-center/)[ Foundational 4m 2021 Phishing Trends You Need To Be Wary Of Aug 2, 2021 ](/blog/2021-phishing-trends-to-be-wary-of/) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Organization","name":"Phish Protection","url":"https://phishprotection.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://phishprotection.com/images/phishprotection-logo.png"},"description":"Advanced phishing protection and email security for businesses. 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