CVE-2015-8988 in ePO Deep Command
Summary
by MITRE
Unquoted executable path vulnerability in Client Management and Gateway components in McAfee (now Intel Security) ePO Deep Command (eDC) 2.2 and 2.1 allows authenticated users to execute a command of their choice via dropping a malicious file for the path.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8988 represents a critical unquoted executable path flaw within the Client Management and Gateway components of McAfee ePO Deep Command versions 2.1 and 2.2. This security weakness stems from improper handling of executable paths during component installation or operation, creating an exploitable condition that allows authenticated attackers to manipulate the execution flow of legitimate system processes. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the software resolves executable paths when multiple components are installed, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-428, which describes the weakness of an executable path that is not properly quoted, allowing attackers to inject malicious code into the execution chain. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access to the system, meaning that users with legitimate credentials can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized control. The attack vector involves placing a malicious executable file in a location that will be automatically executed by the vulnerable software, taking advantage of the operating system's path resolution mechanism where the system searches for executables in a specific order.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure managed by McAfee ePO Deep Command. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the compromised service account, potentially leading to full system compromise and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the core management functionality of the ePO platform, which typically operates with elevated privileges, making the potential impact significantly more severe than standard user-level exploits.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8988 should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, as well as implementing proper path quoting practices during software installation and configuration. Organizations should also enforce strict access controls and monitoring of system directories where executables are placed, particularly those that may be vulnerable to path injection attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as attackers can use this weakness to execute malicious commands through the compromised software components. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for ePO services and regularly auditing executable paths in system configurations can significantly reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of similar unquoted path vulnerabilities.