CVE-2012-4593 in Application Control
Summary
by MITRE
McAfee Application Control and Change Control 5.1.x and 6.0.0 do not enforce an intended password requirement in certain situations involving attributes of the password file, which allows local users to bypass authentication by executing a command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4593 affects McAfee Application Control and Change Control versions 5.1.x and 6.0.0, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of these endpoint protection solutions. This issue stems from improper enforcement of password requirements within the password file attributes, creating a scenario where local attackers can exploit the system's authentication mechanisms without proper credential validation. The vulnerability specifically manifests when certain attributes of the password file are manipulated or accessed in particular ways, allowing unauthorized local users to execute commands that should otherwise require valid authentication credentials. This represents a fundamental failure in the authentication architecture of the software, where the intended security controls are circumvented through manipulation of underlying file attributes rather than through direct exploitation of code vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of password file attributes that should enforce mandatory authentication requirements. When local users can access or modify these attributes, they effectively bypass the intended authentication checks that should validate user credentials before granting access to protected system functions. The flaw operates at the system-level authentication controls, where the software fails to properly validate the integrity and enforcement of password requirements. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and improper access control enforcement, with potential mappings to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and CWE-310 which covers cryptographic weakness. The operational impact occurs when attackers leverage this bypass to execute arbitrary commands on systems protected by McAfee Application Control, potentially escalating privileges or gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple authentication bypass, as it represents a failure in the fundamental security architecture of the application control software. Local users who can exploit this vulnerability gain unauthorized command execution capabilities, which could lead to privilege escalation, system compromise, or data exfiltration depending on the system configuration and user permissions. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local system access, making it accessible to users who may already have limited system privileges. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of systems protected by McAfee's security controls, as it undermines the trust model that these applications are designed to maintain. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and attribute management within the password handling subsystem, creating a persistent security weakness that could be exploited by both malicious insiders and external attackers who gain local access to systems.
Organizations utilizing McAfee Application Control and Change Control versions 5.1.x and 6.0.0 should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of the software, reviewing local user access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized command execution attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage this flaw to execute commands with elevated privileges without proper authentication. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for command execution patterns that deviate from normal user behavior and consider implementing principle of least privilege controls to limit the potential impact of such exploits. The remediation process should include comprehensive security assessments of all systems running vulnerable versions, along with verification that updated software properly enforces password requirements and authentication controls. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can detect and respond to potential exploitation of this authentication bypass vulnerability.