CVE-2017-4017 in Network Data Loss Prevention
Summary
by MITRE
User Name Disclosure in the server in McAfee Network Data Loss Prevention (NDLP) 9.3.x allows remote attackers to view user information via the appliance web interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-4017 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within McAfee Network Data Loss Prevention version 9.3.x appliances. This security weakness specifically affects the web interface component of the NDLP system, which serves as the primary administrative portal for managing data loss prevention policies and monitoring network activities. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and improper authentication mechanisms that allow unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass normal security restrictions and access sensitive user account information through the web-based management interface.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the web server component failing to properly validate user permissions and session states when processing requests to retrieve user account details. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by directly accessing specific web interface endpoints without requiring valid credentials or authentication tokens. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway through which malicious actors can enumerate user accounts, potentially including usernames, account types, and other identifying information about system users. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a fundamental weakness in how the system manages and protects sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating potential downstream security risks for organizations using McAfee NDLP solutions. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain valuable intelligence about the internal user base, which may facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as targeted credential harvesting, social engineering campaigns, or privilege escalation attempts. The exposure of user information could also violate compliance requirements under various regulatory frameworks including pci dss, hipaa, and gdpr, which mandate protection of personally identifiable information and user account data. Organizations may face significant reputational damage and regulatory penalties if user information is compromised through such vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-4017 should prioritize immediate patching of affected McAfee NDLP appliances to the latest security updates provided by the vendor. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the web interface to only authorized administrative workstations and personnel. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities within their network security infrastructure. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary web services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1087.001 "Account Discovery" and represents a critical weakness that could enable attackers to gather intelligence for further exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in their security infrastructure.