CVE-2016-3651 in Endpoint Protection Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) 12.1 before RU6 MP5 allows remote authenticated users to discover the PHP JSESSIONID value via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3651 affects Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager version 12.1 prior to RU6 MP5, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that impacts the security posture of enterprise endpoint protection systems. This issue manifests as an insecure handling of session identifiers within the web interface, specifically exposing PHP JSESSIONID values to authenticated attackers who can leverage this information to potentially compromise session management mechanisms. The vulnerability exists within the web application layer of SEPM, which serves as the central management console for endpoint security policies and configurations across enterprise networks.
The technical flaw stems from improper session management practices within the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager web interface where PHP session identifiers are not adequately protected or randomized during authentication processes. Attackers who have already gained authentication credentials can exploit this vulnerability to obtain JSESSIONID values, which are typically used to maintain user sessions and track authenticated states within web applications. This exposure enables malicious actors to perform session hijacking attacks, potentially gaining unauthorized access to administrative functions and sensitive system configurations. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that likely involve web application request processing or session handling routines that fail to properly secure session identifiers from being exposed to authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges within the SEPM environment. Once an attacker obtains a valid JSESSIONID value, they can potentially impersonate legitimate users with administrative privileges, gaining access to critical endpoint protection configurations, security policies, and management functions. This weakness directly undermines the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete compromise of the endpoint protection infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to modify security policies, deploy malicious software, or disable protection mechanisms. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on SEPM for centralized security management, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the manager serves as the primary control point for security operations.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager 12.1 RU6 MP5 or later versions that address this session management flaw. Organizations should also review their web application security configurations and ensure proper session handling practices are implemented, including the use of secure session identifier generation and proper session management protocols. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation. Network segmentation and monitoring of web application traffic should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments of management interfaces should be conducted to identify similar session management weaknesses. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session handling in web applications and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing and timely patch management across all enterprise security infrastructure components.