CVE-2006-3623 in ePolicy Orchestrator agent
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Framework Service component in McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator agent 3.5.0.x and earlier allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the directory and filename in a PropsResponse (PackageType) request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3623 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Framework Service component of McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator agent versions 3.5.0.x and earlier. This security weakness resides in the agent's handling of PropsResponse requests specifically related to PackageType operations, where the system fails to properly validate directory and filename parameters. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit the system's path resolution mechanism by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences into file paths, effectively allowing them to traverse the file system beyond intended boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that permits unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator agent processes incoming PropsResponse requests without adequate sanitization of the directory and filename components. Attackers can craft malicious requests that contain directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in their payload, which when processed by the vulnerable component, result in the creation of arbitrary files at locations outside the intended directory structure. The exploitation process typically involves sending a specially crafted PackageType request that includes these traversal sequences, allowing the attacker to write files to arbitrary locations on the system where the agent is installed. This mechanism operates at the application level within the agent's Framework Service, which handles package management and configuration responses from the central ePolicy Orchestrator server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file creation capabilities, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive system resources and the ability to execute malicious code through file placement. The vulnerability enables remote code execution possibilities when combined with other attack vectors, as attackers can place malicious executables or configuration files in system directories, potentially leading to privilege escalation and persistent access. Additionally, the flaw allows for arbitrary file creation, which can be leveraged to overwrite existing system files, corrupt application data, or establish backdoor access points. Organizations using vulnerable McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator agents face significant risk of unauthorized system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3623 should prioritize immediate patching of affected McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator agent versions to the latest available releases that contain fixes for this directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit communication between the ePolicy Orchestrator server and agents, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file creation patterns and directory traversal attempts within agent communications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as attackers may leverage the created files to execute malicious PowerShell scripts, and T1566 - Phishing, since the vulnerability can be exploited through malicious package delivery. System administrators should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions and regular security audits to detect unauthorized file modifications that could result from exploitation of this vulnerability.