CVE-2019-3653 in Endpoint Security
Summary
by MITRE
Improper access control vulnerability in Configuration tool in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) Prior to 10.6.1 October 2019 Update allows local user to gain access to security configuration via unauthorized use of the configuration tool.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-3653 represents a critical improper access control flaw within McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) configuration tools. This weakness affects versions prior to the October 2019 update, specifically impacting the configuration utility that manages security policies and settings across endpoint devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms that fail to properly validate user privileges before granting access to sensitive security configuration parameters.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows a local attacker to exploit the configuration tool without proper authorization, effectively bypassing the intended access controls that should restrict administrative functions to authorized personnel only. This improper access control vulnerability falls under CWE-284 which specifically addresses "Improper Access Control" where an attacker can gain access to resources without proper authorization. The configuration tool in question likely operates with elevated privileges to modify security policies, but fails to implement adequate user authentication checks before executing sensitive operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise security infrastructure as it enables any local user to potentially modify critical security settings that could compromise the entire endpoint protection framework. An attacker could disable security features, modify firewall rules, alter threat detection parameters, or manipulate other security configurations that would otherwise require administrative credentials. This local privilege escalation capability undermines the fundamental security model of endpoint protection systems and could lead to complete system compromise if combined with other attack vectors.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it directly affects the integrity and availability of security configurations that protect enterprise networks. Organizations utilizing affected versions of McAfee ENS would be exposed to potential insider threats or compromised local accounts that could be leveraged to weaken security controls. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that local access is often easier to obtain than remote access, making this vulnerability exploitable through various attack paths including phishing, social engineering, or compromised user accounts.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 10.6.1 or later, which incorporates proper access control mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring to detect unauthorized configuration changes and establish strict access control policies limiting local user privileges. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all endpoint security tools to identify similar access control weaknesses. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation in security tool implementations. Regular security audits of administrative tools and configuration utilities should be conducted to ensure that access control mechanisms remain robust against evolving threat landscapes.