CVE-2014-9227 in Endpoint Protection
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple untrusted search path vulnerabilities in the Manager component in Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) before 12.1.6 allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9227 represents a critical privilege escalation issue within Symantec Endpoint Protection's Manager component. This flaw exists in versions prior to 12.1.6 and stems from improper handling of dynamic link library loading processes. The vulnerability manifests as multiple untrusted search path issues that create opportunities for local attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The root cause lies in the software's failure to properly validate or restrict the directories from which it loads dynamic libraries, creating a pathway for attackers to place malicious DLL files in locations that the legitimate application will automatically load.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Manager component's dynamic library loading mechanism, which searches through a predefined set of directories to locate required DLL files. When an attacker places a specially crafted Trojan horse DLL in one of these search paths, the system will load and execute the malicious code with the privileges of the legitimate application. This behavior directly aligns with CWE-426, which describes the weakness of untrusted search path vulnerabilities where applications search for libraries in insecure locations. The attack vector specifically exploits the principle of least privilege violation, as the legitimate application's elevated privileges are leveraged to execute unauthorized code.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Symantec Endpoint Protection is deployed. Local attackers who can write to directories in the search path can effectively escalate their privileges to system level, potentially gaining complete control over affected systems. The impact extends beyond individual machines to compromise entire network infrastructures, as attackers can use this privilege escalation to move laterally across networks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any local user who can write to the affected directories. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" category where adversaries leverage software flaws to gain elevated access rights.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9227 primarily involve upgrading to Symantec Endpoint Protection version 12.1.6 or later, which contains patches addressing the untrusted search path issues. Organizations should also implement strict directory permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized users from writing to critical system directories. Additionally, security administrators should conduct regular audits of the application's search paths and ensure that only trusted directories are included in the library loading sequence. System hardening measures including implementation of Windows Defender Application Control or similar application whitelisting solutions can provide additional protection layers against unauthorized DLL loading. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in preventing untrusted search path attacks, emphasizing the need for defense-in-depth strategies that combine multiple security controls to protect against privilege escalation exploits.