CVE-2018-6704 in McAfee
Summary
by MITRE
Privilege escalation vulnerability in McAfee Agent (MA) for Linux 5.0.0 through 5.0.6, 5.5.0, and 5.5.1 allows local users to perform arbitrary command execution via specific conditions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6704 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within McAfee Agent for Linux versions 5.0.0 through 5.0.6 and 5.5.0 through 5.5.1. This vulnerability exists within the software's handling of specific operational conditions that allow local attackers to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The flaw specifically impacts systems where McAfee Agent is deployed, creating a pathway for malicious actors who already possess local access to escalate their privileges and potentially gain full system control. The vulnerability stems from improper privilege management and command execution handling within the agent's operational framework, particularly when processing certain input parameters or system interactions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how McAfee Agent processes user-supplied data or system commands during its normal operations. Local users can exploit this condition by crafting specific inputs or triggering particular sequences that cause the agent to execute commands with elevated privileges. This typically occurs through manipulation of environment variables, command-line arguments, or configuration files that the agent processes without proper validation or privilege separation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-269 which describes improper privilege management, and more specifically with CWE-78 which addresses OS command injection. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data or network resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6704 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to perform actions that could compromise the entire system integrity. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute commands with root privileges, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system modification, or establishment of persistent backdoors. This threat is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where McAfee Agent is widely deployed for security management, as it could enable attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations running affected McAfee Agent versions, creating potential for widespread compromise across multiple systems where the agent is installed and operational. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6704 require immediate patching of affected McAfee Agent installations to versions that address the privilege escalation flaw. Organizations should prioritize updating to McAfee Agent versions 5.0.7 and 5.5.2 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual command execution patterns or privilege escalation attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include restricting local user access where possible, implementing proper privilege separation, and conducting regular security assessments of deployed security agents. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege management in security software, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of agent-based systems that operate with elevated privileges. Organizations should also maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to monitor for exploitation attempts and ensure their security posture remains resilient against similar vulnerabilities in other security tools.