CVE-2020-7283 in Total Protection
Summary
by MITRE
Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) before 16.0.R26 allows local users to create and edit files via symbolic link manipulation in a location they would otherwise not have access to. This is achieved through running a malicious script or program on the target machine.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2020
The CVE-2020-7283 vulnerability represents a significant privilege escalation flaw within McAfee Total Protection software versions prior to 16.0.R26. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of symbolic link manipulation during file operations, creating an avenue for local attackers to bypass access controls and gain elevated privileges. The flaw exists in the software's file system interaction mechanisms where symbolic links are processed without adequate validation of the target paths, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness through carefully crafted file operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of symbolic links within file system operations that should normally be restricted to privileged users or specific system locations. When McAfee Total Protection processes file operations, it fails to properly validate the target paths of symbolic links, enabling local users to create symbolic links that point to restricted system files or directories. This allows attackers to execute malicious scripts or programs that can manipulate files in locations that would typically require administrative privileges, effectively circumventing the software's access control mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to organizations relying on McAfee Total Protection as their primary security solution. The exploit requires only local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers who have already gained a foothold on a system through other means. The privilege escalation capability means that once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can gain administrative access to the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting local system access and credential access vectors.
The impact of CVE-2020-7283 extends beyond immediate privilege escalation as it can serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within a network environment. Once an attacker gains elevated privileges through this vulnerability, they can modify system files, install persistent backdoors, or access sensitive data that was previously protected by the software's access controls. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where McAfee Total Protection is widely deployed, as a single compromised system could provide attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges across multiple systems.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to McAfee Total Protection version 16.0.R26 or later, which includes patches addressing the symbolic link validation issues. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious file system activities, particularly around symbolic link creation and modification. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in security software, as outlined in CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions and implement comprehensive patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.