CVE-2016-6449 in FireAMP Connector Endpoint
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the system management of certain FireAMP system processes in Cisco FireAMP Connector Endpoint software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to stop certain protected FireAMP processes without requiring a password. Stopping certain critical processes could cause a denial of service (DoS) condition, and certain security features could no longer be available. More Information: CSCvb40597. Known Affected Releases: 1.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6449 resides within the system management mechanisms of Cisco FireAMP Connector Endpoint software, specifically targeting the FireAMP system processes that provide endpoint protection. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the software's privilege management and process control architecture, where authenticated local users can manipulate protected system processes without proper authentication. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and process management controls that fail to properly validate user permissions before allowing process termination commands. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate authorization mechanisms within the security framework of the endpoint protection software.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through local authenticated user access where attackers can leverage existing credentials to issue commands that terminate specific FireAMP processes. The flaw specifically affects certain critical system processes that are essential for maintaining endpoint security and monitoring capabilities. When these processes are stopped, the system enters a degraded state where core security features become unavailable, effectively creating a denial of service condition that compromises the integrity of the endpoint protection system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system management level, bypassing normal security controls that would typically require elevated privileges or specific authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6449 extends beyond simple service disruption to represent a significant compromise of endpoint security posture. When critical FireAMP processes are terminated, the system loses its ability to monitor and protect against malicious activities, leaving endpoints vulnerable to attacks that would normally be detected and mitigated by the security software. This vulnerability creates a window of opportunity for attackers to execute malicious activities without detection, as the security monitoring capabilities are effectively disabled. The denial of service condition can persist until manual intervention occurs to restart the terminated processes, potentially allowing extended periods of undetected malicious activity.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1562.001, which involves disabling or stopping security services. The flaw represents a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by local users who already have system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access controls are not properly enforced. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized process termination events and establish robust access control policies to prevent local users from executing administrative commands. Mitigation strategies include applying vendor patches promptly, implementing least privilege access controls, and configuring system monitoring to detect suspicious process management activities that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.
The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper process isolation and access control mechanisms within security software, as it demonstrates how local privilege escalation can be achieved through manipulation of system management functions. Security professionals should consider this flaw as part of broader endpoint protection assessments, particularly focusing on the integrity of security service processes and the controls that govern their management. The incident highlights the need for continuous security testing and validation of access control mechanisms within endpoint protection platforms to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities that could compromise entire security infrastructures.