CVE-2017-15525 in Endpoint Encryption
Summary
by MITRE
Prior to SEE v11.1.3MP1, Symantec Endpoint Encryption can be susceptible to a denial of service (DoS) attack, which is a type of attack whereby the perpetrator attempts 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 • 12/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15525 represents a critical denial of service weakness in Symantec Endpoint Encryption software prior to version 11.1.3MP1. This flaw exposes organizations to potential disruptions in their endpoint security infrastructure, where malicious actors could exploit the vulnerability to render encryption services unavailable. The issue specifically affects the software's handling of certain input parameters or processing sequences that lead to service disruption rather than complete system compromise. The vulnerability exists within the software's core encryption management functionality, potentially affecting thousands of endpoints across enterprise environments that rely on Symantec's encryption solutions for data protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the Symantec Endpoint Encryption service. Attackers can craft malicious payloads or specific requests that cause the encryption service to crash or become unresponsive, effectively denying legitimate users access to their encrypted data and encryption management capabilities. This type of attack aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes uncontrolled resource consumption as a fundamental weakness in software design. The flaw likely manifests through improper handling of malformed data packets or specific command sequences that the encryption service cannot properly process, leading to resource exhaustion or service termination.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15525 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise an organization's overall security posture. When endpoint encryption services become unavailable, users may be unable to access encrypted data, which could lead to productivity losses and potential compliance violations. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to exploit the service disruption for additional attacks, as demonstrated by ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations may find themselves in a precarious position where they cannot access critical encrypted data during an attack, creating a secondary security risk that compounds the initial DoS incident. The disruption could also affect backup operations, encryption key management, and overall endpoint security monitoring capabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Symantec Endpoint Encryption version 11.1.3MP1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, while implementing rate limiting and input validation controls can help reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing DoS scenarios in encrypted environments, ensuring that backup access methods remain available during service disruptions. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other security infrastructure components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling in security-critical applications. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated software in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure compatibility with existing security policies and procedures.