CVE-2019-9702 in Endpoint Encryption
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Endpoint Encryption, prior to SEE 11.3.0, may be susceptible to a privilege escalation vulnerability, which is a type of issue that allows a user to gain elevated access to resources that are normally protected at lower access levels.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9702 affects Symantec Endpoint Encryption software versions prior to 11.3.0, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security model of the encryption solution. This vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the software architecture, allowing malicious actors to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative access. The issue manifests when the encryption client fails to properly validate user permissions during specific operational sequences, creating an exploitable gap in the access control enforcement. Such a flaw directly violates fundamental security principles where legitimate users should not be able to bypass authorization controls to access restricted resources or perform privileged operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it targets the core security functionality of an encryption solution, potentially enabling attackers to gain access to encrypted data, modify encryption policies, or manipulate the underlying security infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this privilege escalation vulnerability involves a flaw in the software's permission validation logic during critical system operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific input sequences or leveraging existing user sessions to bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability typically occurs when the application performs insufficient validation of user credentials or session tokens during administrative function calls, allowing unprivileged users to execute privileged operations through manipulated system calls or API invocations. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege, where the system does not adequately enforce separation between different user roles and their respective access rights. The exploitation process often requires minimal user interaction and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users interact with the encryption infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9702 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially enabling comprehensive system compromise and data exposure. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows attackers to gain administrative control over the encryption client, which could result in unauthorized access to encrypted data, modification of encryption policies, or even complete system takeover. The implications are severe in environments where Symantec Endpoint Encryption is used to protect sensitive corporate data, as attackers could decrypt files without proper authorization or manipulate the encryption infrastructure itself. Organizations may experience data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and significant operational disruption when this vulnerability is exploited. The risk is amplified in multi-user environments where the encryption client runs with elevated privileges, as the vulnerability could be exploited by malicious insiders or external attackers who gain initial access through other attack vectors. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of encrypted data, potentially leading to substantial financial and reputational damage for affected organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9702 primarily focus on immediate software updates and enhanced monitoring procedures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Symantec Endpoint Encryption version 11.3.0 or later, which includes patches addressing the privilege escalation vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of access control events and user activity patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security audits should verify that proper access controls are in place. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security software versions and implementing robust patch management processes. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral analytics and anomaly detection systems to identify unusual access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the software and prioritize remediation efforts based on the criticality of the affected systems. The implementation of these controls aligns with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, which emphasize the importance of access control management and vulnerability remediation in maintaining overall security posture.