CVE-2015-2757 in Data Loss Prevention Endpoint
Summary
by MITRE
The ePO extension in McAfee Data Loss Prevention Endpoint (DLPe) before 9.3 Patch 4 Hotfix 16 (9.3.416.4) allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (database lock or license corruption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2757 affects the ePO extension component within McAfee Data Loss Prevention Endpoint software, specifically targeting versions prior to 9.3 Patch 4 Hotfix 16. This issue represents a significant security weakness that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute denial of service attacks against the affected system. The vulnerability resides within the database management and license handling mechanisms of the DLPe extension, creating potential operational disruptions for organizations relying on McAfee's data protection solutions. The affected software operates as part of a broader security ecosystem designed to prevent data loss and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that allow authenticated users to manipulate database locking mechanisms or corrupt license files within the ePO extension. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the existing authentication framework to escalate privileges for malicious activities. Attackers who have gained legitimate authentication credentials can exploit this weakness to either lock database resources, preventing normal operations, or corrupt license files that govern the software's functionality. The underlying architecture of the ePO extension appears to lack proper input validation and resource management controls, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate internal database states or license validation processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, potentially affecting the entire data loss prevention infrastructure. Organizations utilizing affected versions may experience complete service outages, rendering their data protection capabilities ineffective during critical periods. Database locks can prevent legitimate system operations and data access, while license corruption may result in complete software deactivation or restricted functionality. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where McAfee DLP solutions are deployed across multiple endpoints, potentially creating cascading failures throughout the organization's security posture. The impact is amplified by the fact that the attack requires only authenticated access, meaning that insiders with legitimate credentials could exploit this weakness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2757 primarily focus on implementing the vendor-provided patch updates, specifically upgrading to McAfee Data Loss Prevention Endpoint version 9.3 Patch 4 Hotfix 16 or later. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the scope of authenticated users who can reach vulnerable components. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database locking patterns or license file modifications that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular credential rotation practices can reduce the attack surface for this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper output handling, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and the potential risks associated with database and license management flaws in enterprise security solutions. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in their security infrastructure and implement robust patch management processes to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the necessity of continuous security monitoring and the importance of validating software updates before deployment in production environments. Proper configuration management and access control enforcement are essential to prevent unauthorized exploitation of authenticated attack vectors that could compromise entire security infrastructures.