CVE-2014-8531 in Network Data Loss Prevention
Summary
by MITRE
The TLS/SSL Server in McAfee Network Data Loss Prevention (NDLP) before 9.3 uses weak cipher algorithms, which makes it easier for remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8531 affects the TLS/SSL server implementation within McAfee Network Data Loss Prevention (NDLP) software version 9.2 and earlier. This security flaw resides in the cryptographic configuration of the server component that handles secure communications, creating a significant weakness in the system's ability to establish secure connections. The vulnerability specifically targets the cipher suite configuration, which determines the encryption algorithms used during TLS/SSL handshakes between clients and the server. Organizations utilizing this version of NDLP are exposed to potential exploitation by authenticated remote attackers who can leverage these weak cryptographic mechanisms to compromise system integrity and execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the use of weak cipher algorithms within the TLS/SSL implementation, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in industry standards such as CWE-327. These weak ciphers typically include algorithms with insufficient key lengths, deprecated encryption protocols, or known cryptographic weaknesses that have been identified as insecure by the cryptographic community. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to potentially manipulate the TLS handshake process or exploit known weaknesses in the cipher suite to establish compromised secure connections. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the attack surface may involve multiple exploitation techniques including man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, or direct code execution through manipulated secure communication channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cryptographic weakness, as it creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data within the network monitoring environment. The NDLP system serves as a critical component in enterprise security infrastructure, monitoring and controlling data flow across networks while preventing unauthorized data exfiltration. When compromised through this vulnerability, the system could be manipulated to either bypass its own security controls or provide attackers with elevated privileges within the network monitoring framework. This creates a dangerous scenario where an attacker who has already authenticated to the system could potentially escalate their privileges to execute arbitrary code, effectively undermining the security posture that the NDLP system is designed to protect.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to McAfee NDLP version 9.3 or later, which addresses this vulnerability through improved cipher suite configuration and stronger cryptographic implementations. The mitigation strategy should also include comprehensive network monitoring to detect any anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, along with regular security assessments of all TLS/SSL implementations within the organization. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through phishing and social engineering, as attackers could potentially use compromised NDLP systems to gain broader network access. Additionally, the weakness demonstrates characteristics of T1071, focusing on application layer protocol usage, where compromised secure communication channels could be leveraged for further lateral movement and data exfiltration activities within the enterprise network environment.