CVE-2017-4012 in Network Data Loss Prevention
Summary
by MITRE
Privilege Escalation vulnerability in the server in McAfee Network Data Loss Prevention (NDLP) 9.3.x allows remote authenticated users to view confidential information via modification of the HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2020
The CVE-2017-4012 vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within McAfee Network Data Loss Prevention version 9.3.x server components. This vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the NDLP system, creating a pathway for remote attackers who have already established valid credentials to escalate their privileges and access sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the HTTP request processing logic, which fails to adequately verify the integrity and authorization status of requests submitted by authenticated users.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the manipulation of HTTP requests that traverse the NDLP server interface. When authenticated users submit requests to the server, the system does not sufficiently validate the request parameters or enforce proper access controls that should prevent users from accessing data beyond their designated permissions. This allows malicious actors to modify request parameters in ways that bypass normal access controls, enabling them to retrieve confidential information that should be restricted to higher-privileged users or specific roles within the organization's data protection infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the NDLP system. Organizations relying on this solution for protecting sensitive data face significant risks, including unauthorized access to protected files, confidential communications, and proprietary information that the system was designed to safeguard. The remote nature of the attack vector means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from outside the organization's network perimeter, potentially leading to widespread data breaches and compliance violations. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive data and potentially enables further exploitation within the network.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-284 access control weakness classification, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms in software systems. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 legitimate credentials, as it leverages existing authenticated sessions to escalate privileges rather than relying on credential theft or brute force attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to NDLP server components, and conducting thorough access control reviews to ensure proper privilege allocation. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous HTTP request patterns and implementing robust logging of administrative activities can help detect exploitation attempts and provide evidence for forensic analysis.