CVE-2017-13683 in Endpoint Encryption
Summary
by MITRE
In Symantec Endpoint Encryption before SEE 11.1.3HF3, a kernel memory leak is a type of resource leak that can occur when a computer program incorrectly manages memory allocations in such a way that memory which is no longer needed is not released. In object-oriented programming, a memory leak may happen when an object is stored in memory but cannot be accessed by the running code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13683 represents a critical kernel memory leak in Symantec Endpoint Encryption software prior to version 11.1.3HF3. This memory management flaw exists at the kernel level, where the operating system's core components handle memory allocation and deallocation processes. The issue manifests when the encryption software fails to properly release memory resources that are no longer required by the system, leading to gradual memory consumption that can eventually degrade system performance or cause system instability. Such memory leaks are particularly dangerous in security software because they can create exploitable conditions that adversaries might leverage to compromise system integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper management of dynamic memory allocation. In kernel space environments, memory leaks can be especially problematic because kernel memory is a finite and critical resource that directly impacts system stability and performance. When the encryption kernel driver fails to release allocated memory blocks, these resources remain occupied and inaccessible to other legitimate processes. The memory leak occurs during normal operation of the encryption software, where repeated memory allocations without corresponding deallocations create a progressive degradation of available system memory. This type of vulnerability can be classified under the broader category of resource exhaustion attacks that fall within ATT&CK technique T1499.002 for resource exhaustion.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13683 extends beyond simple performance degradation to potentially create system instability that could be exploited by malicious actors. Over time, the accumulation of unreleased memory can lead to system slowdowns, application crashes, or even complete system hangs where the kernel becomes unable to allocate additional memory for legitimate operations. For enterprise environments using Symantec Endpoint Encryption, this vulnerability could result in service disruption across multiple endpoints, particularly in scenarios where the encryption software is heavily utilized or where systems are already operating near memory capacity limits. The memory leak could also potentially mask other security issues by consuming system resources that would otherwise be available for security monitoring and threat detection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch that addresses the kernel memory management issue in Symantec Endpoint Encryption 11.1.3HF3 and subsequent versions. Organizations should conduct thorough testing of the patch in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure compatibility with existing encryption policies and system configurations. Additionally, system administrators should monitor memory usage patterns on affected systems to identify early signs of memory exhaustion that may indicate the presence of this vulnerability. Network monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that could suggest exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning across all endpoint devices running affected versions of Symantec Endpoint Encryption, with particular attention to systems handling sensitive data where the memory leak could be exploited to create denial-of-service conditions or potentially facilitate further attacks.