CVE-2013-5016 in Critical System Protection
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Critical System Protection (SCSP) before 5.2.9, when installed on an unpatched Windows Server 2003 R2 platform, allows remote attackers to bypass policy settings via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2021
Symantec Critical System Protection version 5.2.8 and earlier contains a security vulnerability that affects systems running Windows Server 2003 R2 without proper patches. This vulnerability falls under the category of policy bypass mechanisms that can be exploited remotely by attackers to circumvent security controls implemented through SCSP. The flaw specifically impacts the integrity of the system protection framework when operating in conjunction with an outdated Windows Server 2003 R2 environment that lacks current security updates. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the access control mechanisms of the security solution, as it enables unauthorized modification of system policies without proper authentication or authorization. This issue is particularly concerning given that Windows Server 2003 R2 reached end-of-life support status years ago, leaving systems vulnerable to exploitation without current security patches.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves unspecified attack vectors that allow remote code execution or policy manipulation through the SCSP framework. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically concerning improper access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized actions within a protected environment. The flaw likely stems from insufficient validation of policy enforcement or inadequate input sanitization within the SCSP component that interfaces with the Windows Server 2003 R2 platform. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify or bypass security policies that should normally restrict system access or operations, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple policy bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems relying on SCSP for protection. Organizations using vulnerable versions of SCSP on unpatched Windows Server 2003 R2 platforms face significant risk of unauthorized system access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability enables attackers to escalate privileges or disable security controls, creating persistent backdoors or access points that can be leveraged for extended periods. This weakness particularly affects enterprise environments where SCSP is deployed for critical system protection, as it renders the security solution ineffective against determined attackers who can bypass its protective mechanisms.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques. The ability to bypass policy settings aligns with techniques such as T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1562 - Impair Defenses, where attackers can disable or circumvent security controls. Organizations should consider implementing additional network segmentation, monitoring for unusual policy changes, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security solutions and operating systems, as the combination of outdated software components creates exploitable conditions that attackers can leverage.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrade to SCSP version 5.2.9 or later, which contains patches addressing this vulnerability. Organizations must also ensure that Windows Server 2003 R2 platforms receive appropriate security updates, though this may not be feasible given the end-of-life status of the operating system. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based monitoring for unauthorized policy modifications, conducting regular security audits, and establishing incident response procedures specifically addressing policy bypass scenarios. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining comprehensive security hygiene practices and demonstrates how outdated software components can create persistent security weaknesses even within properly configured security solutions.