CVE-2015-8765 in McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE
Intel McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) 4.6.9 and earlier, 5.0.x, 5.1.x before 5.1.3 Hotfix 1106041, and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 Hotfix 1106041 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted serialized Java object, related to the Apache Commons Collections (ACC) library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8765 affects Intel McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator versions 4.6.9 and earlier, 5.0.x, 5.1.x before 5.1.3 Hotfix 1106041, and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 Hotfix 1106041. This critical security flaw resides within the application's handling of serialized Java objects and stems from the inclusion of the Apache Commons Collections library in the affected software components. The vulnerability represents a classic deserialization flaw that enables remote code execution when maliciously crafted serialized objects are processed by the vulnerable ePO server. This issue falls under the broader category of insecure deserialization vulnerabilities that have become increasingly prevalent in enterprise security management platforms, particularly those built on java-based architectures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system without requiring authentication, making it a severe threat to enterprise security infrastructure. The root cause of this vulnerability can be traced to the improper validation and handling of serialized data within the application's object deserialization process, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of serialized Java objects that are processed by the Apache Commons Collections library. When the vulnerable ePO server receives a crafted serialized object, it attempts to deserialize the data without proper validation, leading to the execution of malicious code within the context of the running application. This vulnerability specifically relates to the way the ACC library handles certain object types during deserialization, creating a chain of method calls that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates over network protocols that ePO typically uses for communication between management servers and endpoint agents, making it possible for attackers to exploit the vulnerability from external network positions. The vulnerability demonstrates how third-party libraries can introduce critical security flaws into enterprise applications, highlighting the importance of maintaining up-to-date dependencies and implementing proper input validation measures. This flaw aligns with CWE-502, which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate serialized objects to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8765 extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a complete compromise of the ePO management server and potentially the entire enterprise security infrastructure it manages. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the ePO service account, which typically has elevated permissions within the enterprise environment. This compromise allows for the installation of additional malware, modification of security policies, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability affects the core management capabilities of the ePO platform, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate security policies, disable protection mechanisms, or gain access to sensitive configuration data. The impact is particularly severe for organizations that rely heavily on ePO for centralized security management, as the compromise of a single management server can lead to widespread security breaches across the enterprise network. Organizations may also face regulatory compliance issues if the vulnerability results in unauthorized access to sensitive data, as it could indicate inadequate security controls and monitoring within the organization's security infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including the deployment of the appropriate security patches and hotfixes provided by Intel McAfee for the affected ePO versions. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the patched versions of ePO that address the vulnerable Apache Commons Collections library components, specifically versions 5.1.3 Hotfix 1106041 and 5.3.1 Hotfix 1106041. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to ePO management interfaces and limit the attack surface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual deserialization activities and unauthorized access attempts to the ePO server. The implementation of application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth layers against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of the vulnerable library within their enterprise applications and ensure proper code review processes are in place to prevent similar issues in future development cycles. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining secure coding practices and the necessity of regular security updates for enterprise security platforms, aligning with the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on privilege escalation and persistence tactics that attackers may employ when exploiting such vulnerabilities.