CVE-2017-13679 in Encryption Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service (DoS) attack in Symantec Encryption Desktop before SED 10.4.1 MP2HF1 allows remote attackers to make a particular machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users by temporarily or indefinitely disrupting services of a specific host within a network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2019
Symantec Encryption Desktop represents a widely deployed full disk encryption solution that protects enterprise data by encrypting entire storage volumes on endpoint devices. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13679 manifests as a denial of service condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to render affected systems unusable. This flaw specifically impacts versions prior to SED 10.4.1 MP2HF1, indicating that the vulnerability existed in the product lineage for an extended period before remediation was provided. The attack vector allows adversaries to disrupt services on targeted hosts through mechanisms that temporarily or indefinitely prevent legitimate users from accessing their encrypted systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and resource management within the encryption desktop software's processing mechanisms. When remote attackers exploit this weakness, they can cause the encryption client to consume excessive system resources or enter unstable states that prevent normal operation. This typically occurs through crafted network packets or malformed data inputs that the application fails to properly handle during routine processing cycles. The DoS condition can manifest as system crashes, application hangs, or resource exhaustion that renders the encrypted device inaccessible to authorized users. This vulnerability directly corresponds to CWE-400, which categorizes unchecked resource consumption as a fundamental weakness in software design that leads to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13679 extends beyond simple service disruption to create significant business continuity challenges for organizations relying on Symantec Encryption Desktop. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they can target individual workstations or entire network segments, potentially causing cascading failures that affect productivity and data access. The indefinite disruption capability means that affected systems could remain unavailable for extended periods, requiring manual intervention from IT administrators to restore functionality. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where encryption is mandatory for compliance purposes, creating scenarios where critical business operations may be blocked due to unauthorized service disruption. Organizations using this encryption solution face the additional risk of potential data unavailability during critical business hours, which can result in financial losses and regulatory compliance issues.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the attack framework, particularly those involving network-based service disruption attacks. Adversaries can leverage this weakness to conduct targeted attacks against specific endpoints or broader network segments, potentially using it as part of larger campaign strategies. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to target systems, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with distributed workforces or remote access capabilities. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation approach involves applying the specific patch release mentioned in the advisory, which addresses the underlying resource management issues that enable the denial of service condition. Security teams should prioritize patching this vulnerability across all affected systems, particularly those handling sensitive data or serving as critical business infrastructure components. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining visibility into network communications to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate active exploitation.