CVE-2010-3496 in VirusScan Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5i and 8.7i does not properly interact with the processing of hcp:// URLs by the Microsoft Help and Support Center, which makes it easier for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via malware that is correctly detected by this product, but with a detection approach that occurs too late to stop the code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3496 represents a critical timing issue within McAfee VirusScan Enterprise versions 8.5i and 8.7i that undermines the effectiveness of endpoint protection mechanisms. This flaw occurs when the antivirus software fails to properly coordinate with Microsoft's Help and Support Center processing of hcp:// URLs, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to execute malicious code despite the malware being correctly identified by the antivirus solution. The vulnerability specifically exploits a race condition where detection occurs after the malicious code has already begun execution, rendering traditional signature-based detection ineffective. This issue falls under the CWE-843 category of "Access of Resource with Incorrectly-Resolved Name or Reference" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell, as it enables execution of code through compromised help system mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper interaction between McAfee's antivirus engine and Microsoft's help system architecture. When a user encounters a malicious hcp:// URL, the Microsoft Help and Support Center begins processing the request before McAfee's real-time scanning can intervene. This delay allows malicious code embedded within the help content to execute in memory, bypassing the protection mechanisms that would normally prevent such execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects enterprise-level antivirus solutions where users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive corporate resources. The timing aspect of this flaw makes it especially dangerous as it exploits the gap between detection and prevention, which is a fundamental weakness in traditional antivirus architectures.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3496 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deliver payloads that exploit additional vulnerabilities or establish persistence mechanisms within the infected system. The fact that the malware is correctly detected but not stopped in time creates a false sense of security for administrators who may believe their systems are protected when in reality they remain vulnerable. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where users frequently access help documentation and where McAfee VirusScan Enterprise is deployed as the primary endpoint protection solution. The attack vector involves social engineering elements where users might inadvertently click on malicious links within help system content, making this vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against from a user education perspective.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to newer versions of McAfee VirusScan Enterprise that address this timing issue, disabling hcp:// URL processing in help systems, and implementing additional network-based controls to monitor and block suspicious help system traffic. Security teams should also consider deploying behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous execution patterns regardless of signature-based detection timing. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of considering interaction points between different security tools and operating system components, as highlighted in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework under the Protect function. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and application whitelisting to reduce the attack surface available to malicious code execution. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing defensive measures such as process creation logging and monitoring for suspicious command-line arguments that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should verify that endpoint protection solutions properly integrate with operating system components to prevent similar timing-based vulnerabilities from occurring in other security products.