CVE-2019-8463 in Endpoint Security Client
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability was reported in Check Point Endpoint Security Client for Windows before E82.10, that could allow service log file to be written to non-standard locations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8463 represents a denial of service weakness in Check Point Endpoint Security Client for Windows systems prior to version E82.10. This flaw specifically relates to the improper handling of service log file locations within the endpoint security client software. The issue stems from the client's failure to properly validate or restrict the destinations where log files can be written, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to manipulate or disrupt the logging mechanisms. Such vulnerabilities in security software can have significant implications for system integrity and operational continuity, particularly in enterprise environments where endpoint security is critical for maintaining network defenses.
The technical nature of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or path traversal attacks. The flaw allows an attacker to potentially write log files to arbitrary locations on the filesystem, which could lead to various operational disruptions including disk space exhaustion, unauthorized file creation, or even system instability. When service log files are written to non-standard locations, it can interfere with normal system operations and logging processes that security administrators rely upon for monitoring and incident response activities. The vulnerability essentially creates a condition where the application's logging functionality becomes susceptible to manipulation by unauthorized users or processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8463 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can compromise the integrity of security monitoring systems. When log files are written to unexpected locations, security teams may miss critical alerts or fail to detect malicious activities that would normally be flagged through standard logging processes. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004, which covers "Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion," as the improper log file handling could enable attackers to obscure their activities by manipulating where log data is stored. Organizations may experience difficulties in forensic analysis and incident response, as the expected logging paths become unreliable. The vulnerability also intersects with T1489, "Service Stop," as the disruption of logging services could inadvertently lead to complete service outages. Furthermore, this flaw could enable attackers to consume excessive disk space by writing log files to locations with unlimited capacity, potentially causing system crashes or performance degradation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8463 should focus on immediate software updates to Check Point Endpoint Security Client version E82.10 or later, which includes patches addressing the improper log file handling. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and monitoring for log file directories to detect unauthorized modifications or excessive file creation. System administrators should conduct regular audits of log file locations and ensure that logging processes are properly configured to prevent writes to non-standard paths. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if an attacker does manage to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect unusual logging patterns or excessive disk usage can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can effectively handle cases where logging mechanisms are compromised, as this vulnerability can significantly impact the ability to detect and respond to security incidents.