CVE-2015-3987 in ePO Deep Command
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unquoted Windows search path vulnerabilities in the (1) Client Management and (2) Gateway in McAfee ePO Deep Command 2.1 and 2.2 before HF 1058831 allow local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2015-3987 represents a critical privilege escalation issue within McAfee ePO Deep Command 2.1 and 2.2 versions prior to HF 1058831. This flaw exists in two distinct components of the software ecosystem, specifically within the Client Management and Gateway modules. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of search paths during component loading processes, creating exploitable conditions that malicious local users can leverage to elevate their privileges. The issue manifests as unquoted Windows search path vulnerabilities, which occur when the operating system searches for executables in a specific order without proper quote handling in path specifications. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-428 category of Unquoted Search Path, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices where applications fail to properly quote paths containing spaces, allowing attackers to place malicious executables in directories that are searched before legitimate components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the Windows search path behavior where the system searches directories in a specific order without requiring quotes around paths containing spaces. When McAfee ePO Deep Command components are installed with paths that contain spaces but are not properly quoted, an attacker can place a malicious executable in a directory that will be searched before the legitimate component. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where a local user can execute code with the privileges of the compromised service or application. The vulnerability specifically affects the Client Management and Gateway components, which typically run with elevated privileges, making the potential impact significantly more severe. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068 Privilege Escalation and T1547.001 Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder techniques, as attackers can manipulate the search path to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3987 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Local users who can interact with the affected systems can exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to install malware, modify system configurations, or access sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where McAfee ePO Deep Command is deployed, as these systems often run with administrative privileges and may be accessible to multiple users. The affected versions 2.1 and 2.2 represent widely deployed enterprise security solutions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited by both insider threats and external attackers who gain local access to systems. Organizations with multiple endpoints running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of persistent access and data compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3987 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided hotfix HF 1058831, which addresses the specific unquoted search path vulnerabilities in both the Client Management and Gateway components. System administrators should immediately implement this patch across all affected installations to prevent exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries, conducting thorough security audits of installed software to identify and correct unquoted search path issues, and ensuring that all software installations follow secure coding practices that properly quote paths containing spaces. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit local user access to systems running vulnerable software, while regular vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable components. The mitigation approach aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks, emphasizing the importance of timely patch management and secure configuration practices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.