CVE-2016-3648 in Endpoint Protection Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) 12.1 before RU6 MP5 allows remote authenticated users to bypass the Authentication Lock protection mechanism, and conduct brute-force password-guessing attacks against management-console accounts, by entering data into the authorization window.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3648 affects Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager version 12.1 prior to RU6 MP5, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the authentication protection mechanisms within the management console. This issue stems from insufficient validation of authorization inputs within the authentication window, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the intended security controls that should prevent brute-force attacks against administrative accounts. The vulnerability specifically targets the Authentication Lock protection mechanism, which is designed to prevent repeated failed authentication attempts that could lead to account compromise through systematic password guessing. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating data entry within the authorization window to bypass the built-in protective measures that would normally throttle or lock out accounts after multiple failed login attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of authentication input validation within the SEPM management console interface. When authenticated users attempt to access the authorization window, the system fails to adequately validate the data being entered, allowing attackers to manipulate the authentication flow to disable or bypass the lockout protection mechanisms. This flaw operates at the application layer and directly impacts the authentication protocol implementation, where the system should enforce rate limiting and account lockout policies but instead permits continued access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-307 - Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts, which specifically addresses weaknesses in systems that fail to properly limit authentication attempts, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1110 - Brute Force, which describes methods for systematically guessing passwords to gain unauthorized access to systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote attackers with valid authentication credentials to conduct prolonged brute-force attacks against management console accounts without triggering the intended protective measures. This creates an environment where attackers can systematically test numerous password combinations against administrative accounts, potentially leading to complete compromise of the SEPM management infrastructure. The vulnerability undermines the security posture of organizations relying on Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager, as it allows attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to critical endpoint management functions. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to security policies, endpoint configurations, and management capabilities that could result in widespread security breaches and loss of control over their endpoint protection infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where SEPM is used for centralized endpoint management, as compromise of the management console provides attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate security policies across the entire network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3648 should prioritize immediate deployment of Symantec's official security patches and updates, specifically RU6 MP5, which addresses the authentication bypass vulnerability. Organizations should implement additional compensating controls such as network segmentation to limit access to the SEPM management console, enforce strong password policies with complex requirements, and implement multi-factor authentication where possible. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns and repeated login attempts that could indicate brute-force attack activity. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar authentication weaknesses in other management interfaces. Network access controls should be implemented to restrict access to the SEPM management console to authorized personnel only, and administrative accounts should be configured with additional protection mechanisms such as account lockout policies that are independent of the vulnerable authentication mechanism. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust authentication controls to prevent exploitation of authentication bypass vulnerabilities in enterprise security management systems.