CVE-2006-5156 in ePolicy Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator before 3.5.0.720 and ProtectionPilot before 1.1.1.126 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a request to /spipe/pkg/ with a long source header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5156 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator versions prior to 3.5.0.720 and ProtectionPilot versions before 1.1.1.126. This security weakness resides within the handling of HTTP requests directed to the /spipe/pkg/ endpoint, specifically targeting the source header parameter. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious HTTP requests containing excessively long source header values that exceed the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption and potential code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where the source header data is copied into a fixed-size buffer without proper length verification, creating a predictable memory overwrite condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it provides remote attackers with the ability to compromise entire systems running vulnerable McAfee products. The attack vector involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the affected web service, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where these services are exposed to untrusted networks. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected service account. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain system access, and T1059, representing command and script injection techniques that attackers can leverage once initial access is obtained. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit this weakness, making it particularly attractive for automated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5156 focus primarily on immediate patching and configuration hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator version 3.5.0.720 or later and ProtectionPilot version 1.1.1.126, which contain the necessary security fixes addressing the buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement perimeter controls to restrict access to the vulnerable /spipe/pkg/ endpoint, particularly when the service is exposed to external networks. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, configuring input validation rules to limit header length, and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in security-critical applications, as highlighted by the CWE classification and corresponding ATT&CK framework mappings that emphasize the need for robust defensive measures against buffer overflow exploits.