CVE-2017-15526 in Endpoint Encryption
Summary
by MITRE
Prior to SEE v11.1.3MP1, Symantec Endpoint Encryption can be susceptible to a null pointer de-reference issue, which can result in a NullPointerException that can lead to a privilege escalation scenario.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15526 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within Symantec Endpoint Encryption software prior to version 11.1.3MP1. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the encryption client components that process user authentication and authorization requests. The flaw manifests when the system encounters malformed or unexpected input during the encryption key management process, specifically within the privilege escalation pathways that govern access control decisions. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-476 which describes null pointer dereference conditions that can be exploited by attackers to disrupt system operations or gain unauthorized access to restricted resources. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise endpoint security systems, particularly within enterprise environments where Symantec Endpoint Encryption is deployed for data protection. The potential for privilege escalation means that an attacker could potentially elevate their access rights from standard user level to administrative privileges, thereby undermining the fundamental security model that encryption systems are designed to enforce.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the client-side encryption modules that handle authentication token validation and access control enforcement. When legitimate authentication requests are processed through the system, the software fails to properly validate the integrity of input parameters before attempting to dereference pointers to memory locations. This condition typically arises during the processing of encrypted credential files or when the system attempts to validate user permissions against stored encryption keys. The NullPointerException that results from this flaw can be triggered through carefully crafted malicious inputs that cause the application to attempt to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized or allocated. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a low level within the encryption stack, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring or application firewalls. The flaw's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes privilege escalation through local system exploitation, and T1566 which covers social engineering attacks that could be used to deliver the malicious inputs necessary to trigger the vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15526 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the privilege escalation capability could enable attackers to bypass encryption protections entirely and access sensitive data without proper authorization. Organizations using Symantec Endpoint Encryption in mission-critical environments face significant risk of data breaches, as the vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to encrypted databases, user credentials, and confidential business information. The exploitation of this flaw typically requires minimal technical expertise, as attackers can leverage existing tools to craft the necessary inputs that trigger the null pointer dereference condition. Security professionals must consider that the vulnerability affects not just individual endpoints but potentially entire encryption domains within an organization's infrastructure. The risk is amplified in environments where encryption keys are managed centrally and the vulnerability could be exploited to gain access to key management systems, thereby compromising the entire encryption ecosystem. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation measures including patching to version 11.1.3MP1 or higher, implementing network segmentation to limit access to encryption services, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns or system access logs that might indicate exploitation attempts should be established as part of comprehensive incident response procedures. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and error handling in security-critical applications, particularly those handling encryption keys and access control decisions.