CVE-2015-6554 in Endpoint Protection Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) 12.1 before 12.1-RU6-MP3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via crafted data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2022
The Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager version 12.1 before 12.1-RU6-MP3 contains a critical command injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands on affected systems. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web interface components of the SEPM software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected service account. The flaw exists in the handling of user-supplied data within the web application layer, specifically in parameters that are directly passed to underlying operating system commands without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of input data that flows through the SEPM web interface into system command execution contexts. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit this weakness by submitting specially formatted data that bypasses normal validation checks and gets interpreted as executable commands by the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability is categorized as a command injection flaw, which aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise endpoint security infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain full control over the SEPM server and potentially compromise the entire endpoint protection ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute commands with the privileges of the SEPM service account, which typically has elevated permissions to manage endpoint security policies, access sensitive data, and modify security configurations. This compromise can lead to unauthorized access to endpoint devices, data exfiltration, and the ability to manipulate security policies to evade detection or establish persistence. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on SEPM for centralized endpoint protection management, potentially allowing attackers to undermine the very security controls designed to protect their networks.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patch for CVE-2015-6554, which is included in Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager version 12.1-RU6-MP3 and later releases. The patch addresses the input validation issues that enable command injection by implementing proper sanitization and escaping mechanisms for user-supplied data. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of SEPM servers to untrusted networks. Additional mitigations include monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential command injection vulnerabilities in the broader security infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to command and control operations and privilege escalation. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in their security infrastructure.