CVE-2003-0610 in ePolicy Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ePO agent for McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator 3.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a certain HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2019
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0610 affects the ePO agent component of McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator version 3.0, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system through specially crafted HTTP requests. This vulnerability resides within the web server implementation of the ePO agent, which fails to properly validate and sanitize input parameters received through HTTP requests. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate file path references and navigate through the file system to access sensitive data that should remain restricted. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a "Directory Traversal" attack, where an attacker can access files and directories that are stored outside the intended directory by manipulating input data to point to specific file paths. The ePO agent serves as a critical management component for McAfee's endpoint security solutions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to configuration files, logs, and potentially sensitive system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the HTTP request processing logic of the ePO agent's web server component. When processing HTTP requests containing file path parameters, the agent fails to properly sanitize or validate the input, allowing attackers to insert sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques. This lack of proper input validation creates a direct path traversal condition where attacker-controlled input directly influences the file system operations. The vulnerability manifests when the agent processes requests that contain encoded or unencoded path traversal sequences, enabling attackers to bypass normal file access controls and retrieve files from arbitrary locations on the system. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for systems that are accessible over the network. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can leverage this to discover and exfiltrate sensitive files from compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can access critical configuration files that may contain system credentials, encryption keys, or other sensitive information that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability also poses a risk to the integrity of the entire ePolicy Orchestrator deployment, as attackers could potentially access logs and monitoring data that would reveal the security posture of the organization. Organizations using McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator 3.0 are particularly vulnerable since the flaw exists in the core agent component that manages endpoint security policies and configurations. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access to the system, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to gain unauthorized access to enterprise security infrastructure. This exposure can lead to privilege escalation opportunities and may enable attackers to deploy malicious payloads or establish persistence mechanisms within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0610 should include immediate patching of affected ePO agent versions to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to restrict access to ePO agent components and ensure that only authorized systems can communicate with the management server. Input validation should be strengthened at the application layer to prevent path traversal sequences from being processed, and all HTTP request parameters should be properly sanitized before being used in file system operations. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences, and access controls should be implemented to limit the privileges of the ePO agent processes. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator deployments and ensure that all components are running the latest security patches. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in security applications, as even management tools designed to protect systems can contain flaws that undermine their security effectiveness. Regular vulnerability assessments and security monitoring are essential to identify and remediate similar issues in other security infrastructure components.