CVE-2003-0616 in ePolicy Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in ePO service for McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a POST request with format strings in the computerlist parameter, which are used when logging a failed name resolution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0616 represents a critical format string flaw within the ePO service component of McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator versions 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5.1. This security weakness resides in the service's handling of computerlist parameters within POST requests, specifically when processing failed name resolution events. The flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data that gets directly incorporated into format string operations without adequate escaping or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and presents a significant risk to systems running these specific versions of the ePolicy Orchestrator service.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in how the ePO service processes user input during logging operations. When a POST request containing a computerlist parameter with format specifiers is received, the service fails to properly sanitize this input before using it in logging functions that expect format strings. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious format specifiers that can manipulate the program's execution flow. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-134 as "Use of Externally-Controlled Format String" which is a well-documented pattern of insecure programming practices where external input directly controls format string arguments in functions like printf, sprintf, or similar. The attack vector requires a remote network connection to the vulnerable ePO service and leverages HTTP POST requests to deliver the malicious payload.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain full control over the affected system. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing threat actors to install backdoors, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the core ePO service which typically runs with elevated privileges, making the potential impact even more severe. From an attacker perspective, this represents a high-value target as it provides a direct path to execute arbitrary code without requiring authentication or additional exploitation steps. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity and availability of the ePolicy Orchestrator environment, potentially disrupting security management operations and exposing the organization to extended attack surfaces.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-supplied patches and updates for ePolicy Orchestrator versions 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5.1 to address this format string vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the ePO service ports, limiting exposure to unauthorized users. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious POST requests containing format string specifiers should be enabled through intrusion detection systems and application firewalls. The implementation of input validation controls and proper error handling mechanisms should be reviewed and strengthened across all application components that process external input. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protections and code analysis tools to detect similar vulnerabilities in other applications within their environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as exploitation typically requires command execution capabilities and may involve credential manipulation within the compromised system. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in legacy systems that may be running unsupported software versions.