CVE-2002-0690 in ePolicy Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in McAfee Security ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) 2.5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an HTTP GET request with a URI containing format strings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0690 represents a critical format string flaw within McAfee Security ePolicy Orchestrator version 2.5.1, a centralized security management platform widely deployed in enterprise environments. This vulnerability resides in the web server component of ePO that processes HTTP GET requests, making it accessible to remote attackers without authentication requirements. The flaw stems from improper input validation and handling of user-supplied URI parameters that contain format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x, which are typically used in printf-style functions to format output strings. When these malicious format strings are processed by the vulnerable application, they can trigger buffer overflows, memory corruption, or arbitrary code execution depending on the specific implementation details.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns documented in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog under CWE-134, which specifically addresses the use of format strings inappropriately. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP GET requests containing specially formatted URIs that exploit the underlying format string vulnerability in ePO's web interface. This allows them to manipulate the application's memory layout, potentially overwriting critical program variables, function pointers, or return addresses on the stack. The attack vector leverages the fact that the ePO web server does not properly sanitize or escape user input before passing it to format string functions, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. This represents a severe privilege escalation scenario that can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise security data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it directly compromises the integrity and confidentiality of enterprise security infrastructure. Organizations relying on ePO for centralized security policy management, threat detection, and incident response capabilities face significant risk when this vulnerability is exploited. The attack can result in unauthorized access to security policies, compromise of endpoint protection mechanisms, data exfiltration from security logs, and potential lateral movement within the network. According to MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059.007 for command and script injection and T1566 for phishing with a focus on credential theft and privilege escalation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed web interfaces. Additionally, the vulnerability affects the availability of the security platform itself, as successful exploitation can lead to service disruption and denial of critical security management functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0690 should include immediate patching of ePO to version 2.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the format string vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to ePO web interfaces, deploy web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, and conduct thorough network monitoring for suspicious HTTP GET requests containing format string sequences. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in web applications handling user-supplied data. Security teams should perform regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other applications, as format string vulnerabilities often occur in legacy systems where security updates are delayed or incomplete. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing exploitation of security management platforms, given the critical nature of these systems in enterprise security operations. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing of patches in controlled environments to ensure no regression in functionality while addressing the core vulnerability in the application's input handling mechanisms.