CVE-2020-7273 in Endpoint Security
Summary
by MITRE
Accessing functionality not properly constrained by ACLs vulnerability in the autorun start-up protection in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) for Windows Prior to 10.7.0 April 2020 Update allows local users to delete or rename programs in the autorun key via manipulation of some parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7273 represents a critical access control flaw within McAfee Endpoint Security for Windows autorun start-up protection mechanism. This issue affects versions prior to the April 2020 update and stems from inadequate access control list (ACL) constraints that govern the autorun functionality. The flaw allows local attackers to manipulate system startup processes by directly accessing and modifying autorun registry keys, effectively bypassing intended security boundaries. The vulnerability specifically targets the autorun start-up protection component that is designed to prevent unauthorized programs from executing automatically during system boot processes. This represents a significant compromise in the security architecture as the system should have enforced strict access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical startup configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of specific parameters within the autorun key management system. Attackers can exploit this weakness to delete or rename programs within the autorun registry locations, effectively disrupting legitimate system operations and potentially creating backdoor access points. The flaw operates at the operating system level where registry keys are manipulated without proper authorization checks, allowing local users to perform actions that should be restricted to privileged system processes. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically addressing improper access control in system-level components that manage automatic execution processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7273 extends beyond simple unauthorized modifications to system startup programs. Local attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access mechanisms by replacing legitimate autorun entries with malicious executables, effectively creating a foothold for further exploitation. The vulnerability enables attackers to disrupt system integrity by removing legitimate programs from startup sequences or substituting them with malware variants. This creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks where local users can gain elevated system privileges through manipulation of startup processes. Additionally, the vulnerability can be combined with other attack vectors to create more sophisticated persistence mechanisms within the target environment.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including deployment of the McAfee Endpoint Security 10.7.0 April 2020 update which addresses the ACL constraint issues in the autorun functionality. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of autorun registry keys to identify any unauthorized modifications that may have occurred prior to patching. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual autorun key modifications, as this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1060 persistence technique. System administrators should review and harden registry permissions for autorun locations to ensure that only authorized processes can modify these critical system entries. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in security products and highlights the need for regular security updates to address emerging threats in endpoint protection systems.