CVE-2016-8026 in McAfee Security Scan Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Arbitrary command execution vulnerability in Intel Security McAfee Security Scan Plus (SSP) 3.11.469 and earlier allows authenticated users to gain elevated privileges via unspecified vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2020
The CVE-2016-8026 vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Intel Security McAfee Security Scan Plus version 3.11.469 and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanisms and command execution pathways within the security scanning software, creating a dangerous vector for attackers who have already gained access to a system. The flaw allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, fundamentally undermining the security model of the application and potentially providing attackers with administrative access to the underlying operating system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege handling within the McAfee Security Scan Plus application. When authenticated users interact with the software, the system fails to properly sanitize user inputs before processing them as commands, creating opportunities for command injection attacks. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-78 which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and may also relate to CWE-20 for input validation issues. The vulnerability exists in the software's handling of user-supplied data within command execution contexts, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that are then executed with the privileges of the running process.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8026 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise and persistent access. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can execute commands with elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to system files, modifying security configurations, or establishing backdoors within the infected system. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access to the application, meaning that an attacker who has already compromised a user account or gained legitimate access to the software can escalate their privileges without additional authentication requirements. The implications align with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1059 which covers 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8026 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 3.11.470 or later, which contains patches addressing the privilege escalation vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of McAfee Security Scan Plus are updated promptly. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit user access to the security scanning application, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual command execution patterns and privilege escalation attempts within the security scanning environment. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of principle of least privilege implementation, where users should only have access to security tools necessary for their specific roles, and regular security audits should verify that the application is running with appropriate security contexts and permissions.