CVE-2015-8577 in VirusScan Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
The Buffer Overflow Protection (BOP) feature in McAfee VirusScan Enterprise before 8.8 Patch 6 allocates memory with Read, Write, Execute (RWX) permissions at predictable addresses on 32-bit platforms when protecting another application, which allows attackers to bypass the DEP and ASLR protection mechanisms via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8577 represents a critical security flaw in McAfee VirusScan Enterprise versions prior to 8.8 Patch 6, specifically affecting 32-bit platforms where the Buffer Overflow Protection (BOP) feature exhibits dangerous memory allocation behavior. This vulnerability directly undermines fundamental operating system security mechanisms by creating predictable memory addresses with executable permissions, thereby enabling attackers to circumvent modern exploit mitigations. The flaw exists within the BOP component's memory management approach when protecting other applications, creating a dangerous condition that transforms a security feature into a potential attack vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the BOP feature's allocation of memory pages with Read, Write, and Execute permissions simultaneously, which violates the principle of least privilege and proper memory protection boundaries. This RWX memory allocation occurs at predictable addresses, eliminating the randomization benefits that ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) typically provides. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject and execute malicious code directly within the protected application's memory space, effectively bypassing DEP (Data Execution Prevention) mechanisms that are designed to prevent code execution from data segments. This behavior aligns with CWE-122, which describes improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer, and represents a sophisticated bypass of memory protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8577 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to perform arbitrary code execution on systems running vulnerable McAfee VirusScan Enterprise versions. The vulnerability can be exploited through unspecified vectors that leverage the predictable memory layout to craft successful exploits against systems with the affected software installed. This creates a dangerous situation where the security tool intended to protect against malware becomes a pathway for attackers to bypass protection mechanisms. Systems utilizing 32-bit platforms are particularly vulnerable due to the limited address space and the predictable nature of memory allocation patterns in these environments. The exploitability of this vulnerability can be enhanced through techniques that combine the BOP bypass with other attack vectors, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the available patch from McAfee that addresses the memory allocation behavior in the BOP feature. The mitigation strategy involves updating to McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.8 Patch 6 or later versions that correct the RWX memory allocation issue and eliminate the predictable address space behavior. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, though these measures provide only partial protection given the nature of the vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive system scanning to identify any potential compromise from prior exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could have been leveraged by attackers to establish persistent access to affected systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in security software and highlights how defensive mechanisms can inadvertently create attack surfaces when not properly implemented.