CVE-2017-4052 in Advanced Threat Defense
Summary
by MITRE
Authentication Bypass vulnerability in the web interface in McAfee Advanced Threat Defense (ATD) 3.10, 3.8, 3.6, 3.4 allows remote unauthenticated users / remote attackers to change or update any configuration settings, or gain administrator functionality via a crafted HTTP request parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2021
The CVE-2017-4052 vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within McAfee Advanced Threat Defense (ATD) versions 3.10, 3.8, 3.6, and 3.4 web interfaces. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient access controls that allow malicious actors to manipulate HTTP request parameters without proper authentication credentials. The flaw exists in the web administration interface where the system fails to adequately verify user identity before processing configuration modification requests, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of HTTP request parameters that control administrative access and configuration settings. Attackers can craft specific HTTP requests that bypass the normal authentication mechanisms, enabling them to perform privileged operations such as changing system configurations, modifying security policies, or gaining full administrative control over the ATD appliance. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-287 which specifically addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insecure direct object reference where the application fails to verify that the requesting user has proper authorization to access or modify the target resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within enterprise security environments that utilize McAfee ATD solutions. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to completely compromise the security posture of the affected systems, potentially leading to full system takeover, data exfiltration, or the deployment of malicious configurations that could persist undetected for extended periods. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of the ATD platform, which is designed to protect organizations against advanced threats, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the very security solution meant to defend against cyber attacks. This weakness creates a significant risk for organizations relying on ATD for threat detection and response capabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from McAfee, implementing network segmentation to isolate ATD appliances, and configuring strict firewall rules to limit access to the web interface. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized administrative access. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual administrative activities, implementing web application firewalls to detect suspicious parameter manipulation, and conducting regular security assessments of the ATD deployment. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary administrative interfaces and implementing multi-factor authentication where possible to reduce the attack surface and provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities.