CVE-2020-5835 in Endpoint Protection Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager, prior to 14.3, has a race condition in client remote deployment which may result in an elevation of privilege on the remote machine.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-5835 affects Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager versions prior to 14.3 and represents a critical race condition flaw in the client remote deployment mechanism. This vulnerability stems from improper synchronization controls during the deployment process, creating a window where malicious actors can exploit timing dependencies to gain unauthorized access to target systems. The race condition occurs when multiple processes or threads attempt to access shared resources simultaneously without proper locking mechanisms, allowing for unpredictable execution paths that can be manipulated by adversaries. The flaw specifically manifests during the remote deployment phase where client systems receive updates or configurations from the central management server. According to CWE-362, this vulnerability maps directly to a race condition weakness where concurrent operations create security vulnerabilities due to insufficient synchronization. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under T1068, where adversaries leverage system weaknesses to gain higher-level permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of temporary files or system resources during the deployment process. When Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager initiates remote deployment operations, it creates temporary files or modifies system components that are not adequately protected against concurrent access. An attacker can exploit this by rapidly executing multiple deployment requests or by manipulating the timing of system operations to force the system into an inconsistent state. The race condition typically occurs when the system checks for certain conditions and then performs actions based on those checks without revalidating the conditions in a timely manner. This creates opportunities for malicious code injection or unauthorized modification of deployment processes. The vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate administrative functions but becomes exploitable when combined with other attack vectors or when the system is under stress conditions that increase the likelihood of race condition occurrence.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-5835 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable complete system compromise when combined with other attack techniques. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain elevated privileges on remote machines, allowing them to execute arbitrary code with system-level permissions. This elevation of privilege can lead to persistent access, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using older versions of Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager, creating a significant risk for enterprises that have not updated their security infrastructure. Organizations with multiple endpoints managed through this system face increased exposure, as a single compromised client can potentially provide access to the entire management infrastructure. The impact is particularly severe in environments where Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager serves as the primary security management platform, as it provides centralized control over endpoint security policies and configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-5835 focus primarily on updating to Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager version 14.3 or later, which includes proper synchronization controls and race condition fixes. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to update all affected systems and ensure that the updated version properly implements mutex locks and other synchronization mechanisms. System administrators should also review and harden deployment processes by implementing additional access controls and monitoring for unusual deployment patterns. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of rapid deployment requests or unusual system modifications that could indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of proper logging and audit trails can help identify when race conditions have been exploited, and regular security assessments should verify that the updated systems properly handle concurrent operations without creating security vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response solutions to provide defense in depth against potential exploitation attempts.