CVE-2016-5306 in Endpoint Protection Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) 12.1 before RU6 MP5 does not properly implement the HSTS protection mechanism, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network for unintended HTTP traffic on port 8445.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2022
Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager version 12.1 before RU6 MP5 contains a critical security flaw in its implementation of HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) protection mechanism. This vulnerability exists specifically on port 8445, which is used for secure communication between the SEPM server and client endpoints. The improper HSTS implementation allows attackers to bypass the intended secure communication channels and intercept sensitive data through network sniffing techniques. This weakness fundamentally undermines the security posture of the endpoint protection solution by creating an attack vector that should have been protected by proper transport layer security enforcement.
The technical flaw stems from the inadequate configuration and implementation of HSTS headers within the SEPM's web server responses on port 8445. When HSTS is properly implemented, it instructs web browsers to only communicate with the server over HTTPS connections and to refuse any HTTP requests. However, in this vulnerable version, the HSTS headers are either missing, improperly configured, or not enforced consistently across all communication channels. This creates a window of opportunity for man-in-the-middle attacks where network traffic can be intercepted and analyzed, potentially exposing authentication tokens, configuration data, and other sensitive information transmitted between the SEPM server and client devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to perform credential harvesting and session hijacking attacks against the SEPM infrastructure. Network sniffing operations can capture unencrypted HTTP traffic that should have been protected by HTTPS, allowing threat actors to gain insights into the internal network structure, identify vulnerable endpoints, and potentially escalate their access to other systems within the protected environment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on SEPM for endpoint protection, as it compromises the integrity of the security management platform itself. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that port 8445 is commonly used for administrative functions and data synchronization, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to undermine endpoint security controls.
Organizations should immediately apply the available security patches and updates from Symantec, specifically RU6 MP5, to resolve this HSTS implementation flaw. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect and alert on any suspicious traffic patterns on port 8445. Security teams should also conduct thorough network assessments to identify any unencrypted traffic that may be passing through this port and implement proper traffic filtering rules. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-319 (CWE-319: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) where attackers may leverage such weaknesses to establish persistent access. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security protocol implementation as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 controls related to secure communication and data protection, emphasizing that security mechanisms must be rigorously tested and validated to prevent exploitation by threat actors.