CVE-2015-2053 in McAfee
Summary
by MITRE
The log viewer in McAfee Agent (MA) before 4.8.0 Patch 3 and 5.0.0, when the "Accept connections only from the ePO server" option is disabled, allows remote attackers to conduct clickjacking attacks via a crafted web page, aka an "http-generic-click-jacking" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2053 represents a critical security flaw in McAfee Agent software that affects versions prior to 4.8.0 Patch 3 and 5.0.0. This issue specifically impacts the log viewer component of the McAfee Agent system, which is designed to provide administrators with access to system logs and monitoring data. The vulnerability arises from improper implementation of security controls within the web interface, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system through web-based attacks. The flaw is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to manipulate the user interface in ways that can bypass normal security protections.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate clickjacking protection mechanisms within the McAfee Agent's web interface. Clickjacking, also known as UI redressing, occurs when a malicious website overlays invisible or disguised elements on top of legitimate web pages to trick users into performing unintended actions. In this case, when the "Accept connections only from the ePO server" option is disabled, the system fails to properly validate or restrict external web requests that could be used to craft malicious pages. The vulnerability specifically affects the HTTP generic interface, making it susceptible to attacks that can manipulate user interactions through carefully crafted web content. This flaw falls under the CWE-352 category of Cross-Site Request Forgery, though it manifests specifically as a clickjacking vulnerability in the web interface context.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2053 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially enabling more sophisticated attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized actions within the McAfee Agent environment, potentially gaining access to sensitive system information, manipulating log data, or even executing commands that could compromise the entire security infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where McAfee Agent is deployed for security monitoring and management, as it could allow attackers to bypass security controls and access critical system information. The fact that the vulnerability is present when a specific security option is disabled creates a false sense of security that attackers can exploit by simply crafting malicious web pages that target the vulnerable interface.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies focusing on both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. The primary recommendation is to update McAfee Agent to versions 4.8.0 Patch 3 or 5.0.0, which contain the necessary security patches to address the clickjacking vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should review and enforce proper network security configurations, ensuring that the "Accept connections only from the ePO server" option is enabled when possible. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing comprehensive security controls and the risks associated with leaving default security settings in potentially vulnerable configurations. This case highlights the critical need for regular security assessments and timely patch management to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in enterprise security tools. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to recognize and avoid potentially malicious web content that could exploit such interface vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under web application attacks, specifically related to user interface manipulation and session management weaknesses that can lead to broader system compromise.