CVE-2019-9703 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 • 06/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9703 affects Symantec Endpoint Encryption software versions prior to 11.3.0, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security posture of endpoint protection systems. This vulnerability resides within the software's access control mechanisms, specifically targeting how the system handles user permissions and resource access. The flaw allows malicious actors or compromised low-privilege users to elevate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to protected system resources, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries that separate different user access levels.
The technical implementation of this privilege escalation vulnerability stems from improper validation of user permissions within the encryption software's core components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating specific system calls or by leveraging existing user sessions to perform unauthorized operations that should require administrative privileges. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly verify that the requesting user possesses sufficient authorization levels to execute certain administrative functions, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege elevation. This issue directly relates to CWE-276, which classifies improper privilege management as a fundamental security flaw that can lead to unauthorized access and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9703 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to access encrypted data, modify encryption policies, and potentially compromise the entire endpoint protection framework. Organizations utilizing affected Symantec Endpoint Encryption versions face significant risks including data theft, unauthorized system modifications, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core encryption software that is designed to protect sensitive data, creating a scenario where attackers can undermine the very security measures meant to safeguard their systems. This flaw can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering, malware infections, or by compromising existing user accounts with lower privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Symantec Endpoint Encryption to version 11.3.0 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the privilege escalation flaw. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring measures to detect unusual privilege escalation attempts and establish robust access control policies. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred prior to patching. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege practices and regularly review access permissions to minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged by adversaries to maintain persistence and move laterally within compromised environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and the potential consequences when access control mechanisms fail to properly validate user permissions.