CVE-2020-3314 in AMP for Endpoints Mac Connector
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the file scan process of Cisco AMP for Endpoints Mac Connector Software could cause the scan engine to crash during the scan of local files, resulting in a restart of the AMP Connector and a denial of service (DoS) condition of the Cisco AMP for Endpoints service. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of specific file attributes. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by providing a crafted file to a user of an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the Cisco AMP for Endpoints service to crash, resulting in missed detection and logging of the potentially malicious file. Continued attempts to scan the file could result in a DoS condition of the Cisco AMP for Endpoints service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3314 affects Cisco AMP for Endpoints Mac Connector Software, representing a critical weakness in the file scanning mechanism that can lead to significant operational disruptions. This flaw exists within the file scan process where the system fails to properly validate specific file attributes during local file analysis. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation controls that do not adequately sanitize or verify the properties of files being processed, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through crafted file manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that occurs when the scan engine encounters malformed file attributes during processing. When the system attempts to parse and analyze these specifically crafted file properties, the insufficient validation leads to memory corruption or invalid pointer dereferences within the scanning engine. This condition causes the AMP Connector service to terminate unexpectedly and restart automatically, creating a cascading effect that disrupts the continuous monitoring capabilities of the endpoint protection system. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the macOS connector software, specifically targeting the file attribute validation routines that precede the actual scanning operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe denial of service condition that fundamentally undermines the security posture of affected systems. The disruption occurs through the automatic restart of the AMP Connector service, which results in temporary gaps in endpoint monitoring and detection capabilities. During these restart periods, potentially malicious files can bypass detection mechanisms entirely, as the system is temporarily unable to perform its scanning functions. The continued exploitation of this vulnerability through repeated file scanning attempts can lead to sustained service disruption, effectively rendering the Cisco AMP for Endpoints service unavailable for its intended protective purposes. This creates a window of opportunity for attackers to execute malicious activities without detection, as the security monitoring infrastructure is actively compromised and unable to function properly.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for command and script interpreter, as well as T1489 for service stop, where attackers can leverage the DoS condition to disrupt security monitoring. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation," which represents a fundamental weakness in input sanitization that can lead to various security consequences including system crashes and service disruptions. Organizations implementing Cisco AMP for Endpoints must recognize this vulnerability as a critical threat to their endpoint protection capabilities, as it directly compromises the availability and integrity of their security monitoring infrastructure. The remediation approach should focus on implementing proper input validation controls, applying vendor-provided patches, and potentially implementing additional monitoring to detect anomalous restart patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Cisco's security patches that address the input validation deficiencies in the file scanning process. Network administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual AMP Connector restart patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures may include implementing file attribute restrictions or quarantining suspicious file types before they reach the scanning engine. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant monitoring solutions to maintain visibility during potential exploitation events, ensuring that security gaps do not persist for extended periods. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in security-critical applications and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of file attribute handling mechanisms in endpoint protection software.