CVE-2017-3896 in Security McAfee Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Unvalidated parameter vulnerability in the remote log viewing capability in Intel Security McAfee Agent 5.0.x versions prior to 5.0.4.449 allows remote attackers to pass unexpected input parameters via a URL that was not completely validated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3896 represents a critical input validation flaw within the Intel Security McAfee Agent 5.0.x software suite, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.0.4.449. This issue resides in the remote log viewing functionality, which serves as a legitimate administrative feature designed to allow system administrators to access log files from remote locations. The flaw stems from insufficient parameter validation within the URL parsing mechanism that handles log file retrieval requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing unvalidated parameters that bypass normal input sanitization processes. The vulnerability operates at the application level and demonstrates a classic example of improper input validation, which aligns with CWE-20, the primary weakness category for input validation issues. This weakness allows for potentially arbitrary code execution or information disclosure depending on the system configuration and the nature of the parameters passed through the vulnerable interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3896 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further compromise within enterprise environments where McAfee Agent is deployed. When exploited, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate the log viewing functionality to access unauthorized system information or potentially execute malicious code on the target system. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where McAfee Agent is widely deployed for endpoint protection and management. The vulnerability can be leveraged as an initial access vector in a broader attack campaign, potentially allowing threat actors to gather intelligence about system configurations, network topology, or other sensitive operational details. The lack of proper parameter validation creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious payloads or manipulate the application's behavior to achieve unauthorized access to system resources, making this a significant concern for organizations relying on McAfee Agent for security management.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-3896 should prioritize immediate remediation through the deployment of McAfee Agent version 5.0.4.449 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the unvalidated parameter vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also encompass network-level protections such as implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious URL patterns, as well as conducting thorough network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Security teams should also perform comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running vulnerable versions of the software and ensure proper access controls are implemented for the log viewing functionality. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the initial access and privilege escalation domains, where attackers may use such vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems and establish persistent presence within the network. The remediation process should also include monitoring for indicators of compromise related to malicious URL access patterns and implementing proper logging and alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider conducting security awareness training for administrators to recognize potentially malicious access patterns to the log viewing interface, as social engineering aspects may be employed to exploit this vulnerability.