CVE-2017-13681 in Endpoint Protection
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Endpoint Protection prior to SEP 12.1 RU6 MP9 could be susceptible to a privilege escalation vulnerability, which is a type of issue that allows a user to gain elevated access to resources that are normally protected at lower access levels. In the circumstances of this issue, the capability of exploit is limited by the need to perform multiple file and directory writes to the local filesystem and as such, is not feasible in a standard drive-by type attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13681 represents a privilege escalation flaw within Symantec Endpoint Protection software versions prior to 12.1 RU6 MP9, constituting a critical security weakness that could allow unauthorized users to elevate their system privileges beyond normal access controls. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of privilege escalation attacks that exploit weaknesses in access control mechanisms to gain higher levels of system permissions. The flaw specifically resides in how the endpoint protection software handles local file system operations, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate system resources through carefully crafted file and directory write operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to perform multiple file and directory write operations to the local filesystem, which creates a multi-step exploitation process that significantly limits its feasibility in typical remote attack scenarios. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the category of local privilege escalation rather than remote code execution, as it requires physical or network access to the target system to perform the necessary file system modifications. The attack vector necessitates that the attacker already possesses some level of access to the system, typically at the user level, before attempting to exploit this vulnerability to achieve administrative or system-level privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13681 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it could potentially enable attackers to bypass security controls implemented by Symantec Endpoint Protection, undermining the very purpose of endpoint protection software. Once elevated privileges are obtained, attackers could modify critical system files, install malicious software, disable security features, or access sensitive data that would normally be protected by the endpoint protection solution. The vulnerability's design requires multiple file system write operations, which aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack chain framework where attackers must establish persistence and maintain access before achieving full system compromise.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-269, which describes "Improper Privilege Management" and represents a fundamental weakness in how the software manages access controls and privilege boundaries. The requirement for multiple file system write operations also demonstrates characteristics consistent with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, where attackers must overcome access control mechanisms to gain higher system privileges. Organizations utilizing Symantec Endpoint Protection versions prior to 12.1 RU6 MP9 face significant risk as this vulnerability could be exploited by attackers who have already gained initial access to a system through other means, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2017-13681 primarily involves upgrading to Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 RU6 MP9 or later versions, which contain patches addressing the privilege escalation vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting file system write permissions for the endpoint protection service accounts and monitoring for unusual file system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to ensure that all endpoint protection software components remain up to date with the latest security patches, as this vulnerability demonstrates how outdated security software can create persistent attack vectors that remain exploitable for extended periods.