CVE-2014-8518 in Endpoint Encryption
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) Removable Media and (2) CD and DVD encryption offsite access options (formerly Endpoint Encryption for Removable Media or EERM) in McAfee File and Removable Media Protection (FRP) 4.3.0.x, and Endpoint Encryption for Files and Folders (EEFF) 3.2.x through 4.2.x, uses a hard-coded salt, which makes it easier for local users to obtain passwords via a brute force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8518 affects McAfee's file and removable media protection solutions, specifically targeting the encryption mechanisms used in removable media and CD/DVD offsite access features. This weakness exists within the cryptographic implementation of the software, where a hard-coded salt value is utilized in the encryption process, creating a significant security weakness that undermines the overall protection scheme. The affected versions include McAfee FRP 4.3.0.x and EEFF 3.2.x through 4.2.x, representing a substantial portion of the software's deployment across enterprise environments.
The technical flaw stems from the improper implementation of cryptographic functions where a fixed, hard-coded salt value is used for encryption operations rather than generating unique salts for each encryption process. This design choice fundamentally compromises the security of the encryption algorithm, as salts are specifically intended to be random values that prevent attackers from utilizing precomputed tables or rainbow tables to reverse-engineer encrypted data. When the same salt value is used consistently across multiple encryption operations, it creates predictable patterns that significantly reduce the computational complexity required for brute force attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of insecure or weak cryptographic algorithms and implementation practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on McAfee's encryption solutions for protecting sensitive data on removable media and during offsite access scenarios. Local users with access to the system can exploit this weakness by performing targeted brute force attacks against encrypted files, significantly reducing the time and computational resources required to recover passwords or decryption keys. The vulnerability essentially transforms what should be a computationally infeasible cryptographic challenge into a manageable brute force operation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local user privileges are not strictly controlled. This weakness directly enables adversaries to bypass encryption protections and access sensitive data that was intended to be secured through robust cryptographic methods.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of McAfee FRP and EEFF software, where available, and considering alternative encryption solutions that properly implement cryptographic best practices. Security administrators should also conduct thorough assessments of existing encrypted data to identify potential exposure and implement additional access controls to limit local user privileges. The remediation process should include reviewing and strengthening overall security policies around removable media usage and offsite data access. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through cryptographic weakness, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures beyond simple software patching. Organizations must also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure that encryption implementations follow established cryptographic standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-131A for cryptographic key management and algorithm selection.