CVE-2015-8801 in Endpoint Protection
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the client in Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) 12.1 before RU6 MP5 allows local users to bypass intended restrictions on USB file transfer by conducting filesystem operations before the SEP device manager recognizes a new USB device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8801 represents a critical race condition flaw within Symantec Endpoint Protection version 12.1 prior to RU6 MP5 client components. This security weakness stems from the improper timing sequence in how the SEP device manager handles newly connected USB devices, creating a temporal window where local attackers can exploit the system before proper device recognition and restriction protocols are fully executed. The flaw specifically affects the client-side implementation of USB device management within the endpoint protection framework, where the system fails to adequately synchronize device detection with access control enforcement mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this race condition occurs when a USB device is physically connected to a system running affected SEP client software. During the brief period between device detection and the completion of the device manager's initialization process, the system remains in a transitional state where security policies have not yet been properly applied to the newly connected device. This temporal gap allows malicious users to perform filesystem operations on the USB device before the SEP device manager can enforce its intended restrictions, effectively bypassing the protection mechanisms designed to prevent unauthorized file transfers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local user level, requiring no elevated privileges beyond standard user access, yet it can circumvent enterprise security controls that are meant to prevent data exfiltration through removable media.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly undermines the security posture of organizations relying on Symantec Endpoint Protection for USB device control. The race condition enables attackers to copy sensitive data to USB devices without triggering the intended security policies, potentially leading to data loss, intellectual property theft, or compliance violations. The flaw affects the core functionality of endpoint protection by creating a scenario where legitimate security controls become ineffective due to timing dependencies in the software implementation. This vulnerability can be exploited in various attack scenarios including insider threats, compromised user accounts, or social engineering attacks where attackers leverage the timing window to bypass security controls.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8801 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that address the race condition in the SEP client device management. Organizations should immediately implement the RU6 MP5 update or subsequent releases that contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unusual USB device activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-367, which addresses Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1074.001 for data staging through removable media. Security teams should also review and enhance their USB device policies to include more granular controls and logging mechanisms that can detect and prevent unauthorized transfers even when the underlying race condition exists. Network segmentation and additional endpoint detection controls should be implemented to provide defense-in-depth against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.