CVE-2020-5826 in Endpoint Protection
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) and Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition (SEP SBE), prior to 14.2 RU2 MP1 and prior to 14.2.5569.2100 respectively, may be susceptible to an out of bounds vulnerability, which is a type of issue that results in an existing application reading memory outside of the bounds of the memory that had been allocated to the program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-5826 affects Symantec Endpoint Protection and Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition products, representing a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw that could enable remote code execution. This vulnerability resides within the memory management mechanisms of these security solutions, specifically in how they handle certain data processing operations that involve buffer boundaries and memory allocation. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to read or write memory locations beyond the allocated buffer space, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to exploit the system. The vulnerability impacts both the standard Symantec Endpoint Protection platform and its small business edition variant, with specific version ranges indicating the affected releases before 14.2 RU2 MP1 and 14.2.5569.2100 respectively. This issue falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that are particularly dangerous due to their potential for arbitrary code execution and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the application's memory handling routines, which is classified as a CWE-129 weakness related to insufficient bounds checking of array data. When legitimate operations process data structures that exceed their allocated memory boundaries, the application may access invalid memory locations, potentially leading to crashes, data corruption, or more severe exploitation opportunities. The out-of-bounds read or write operations can be triggered through specially crafted inputs or network traffic that the security software processes, making this particularly concerning for endpoint protection solutions that must handle diverse and potentially malicious data streams. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially escalating to system compromise and full network access.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-5826 extends beyond simple system instability, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure. Organizations running affected Symantec Endpoint Protection versions face potential exposure to sophisticated attacks that could bypass their primary security defenses, creating a paradoxical situation where the security solution itself becomes a potential attack vector. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that adversaries could potentially compromise systems without requiring physical access or local user privileges, making it particularly attractive for widespread exploitation campaigns. This flaw undermines the fundamental security assumptions of endpoint protection systems, as attackers could use the vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, install persistent backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data from protected networks. The attack surface includes not only direct exploitation but also potential chain reactions that could affect other security controls within the organization's defense-in-depth strategy.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest available versions of Symantec Endpoint Protection and Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition, as provided by Symantec's security updates. The recommended approach involves deploying the specific patches addressing the out-of-bounds memory access issue, which typically include enhanced bounds checking mechanisms and memory validation routines. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while security teams should closely monitor for indicators of compromise related to abnormal memory access patterns or unexpected application behavior. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to limit potential exploitation vectors, ensuring proper access controls on security software installations, and maintaining comprehensive incident response procedures that account for potential compromise of endpoint protection systems. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates immediate attention and comprehensive security posture assessment to prevent exploitation attempts.