CVE-2015-4559 in ePolicy Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the product deployment feature in the Java core web services in Intel McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) before 5.1.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The CVE-2015-4559 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Intel McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator version 5.1.1 and earlier, specifically affecting the product deployment feature in the Java core web services. This vulnerability exposes the ePO platform to remote code execution risks where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through unspecified attack vectors. The flaw exists within the web service layer that handles product deployment operations, making it particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to compromise the entire ePO environment through a single vulnerable endpoint. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on McAfee ePO for security policy management and endpoint protection orchestration, creating potential entry points for sophisticated attacks targeting enterprise security infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Java web services that process deployment requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that bypass security controls in the web application layer, allowing them to inject JavaScript code or HTML content into the application's response. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may be present across multiple input points within the deployment feature, potentially including parameters, headers, or form fields used during product installation or configuration processes. This lack of specificity in the attack vectors makes the vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against as it could be exploited through various application interfaces and communication channels.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4559 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to the ePO management server and potentially compromise the entire security infrastructure. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands, steal administrative credentials, modify security policies, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability particularly threatens organizations that depend on ePO for centralized security management, as it could allow attackers to undermine the very security controls that protect enterprise networks. This risk is compounded by the fact that ePO servers typically operate with elevated privileges and have access to sensitive organizational data, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking long-term access to enterprise environments.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2015-4559. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator version 5.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to ePO servers, with strict firewall rules restricting external access to the deployment web services. Input validation controls should be strengthened at the application level, with proper output encoding implemented for all user-supplied data. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in deployment requests, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the security infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and could be exploited using techniques from the ATT&CK framework's web application attacks category, particularly focusing on command injection and credential access tactics.