CVE-2020-7285 in MVision Endpoint
Summary
by MITRE
Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee MVISION Endpoint prior to 20.5.0.94 allows a malicious script or program to perform functions that the local executing user has not been granted access to.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2020
The CVE-2020-7285 vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within McAfee MVISION Endpoint software that affected versions prior to 20.5.0.94. This vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the endpoint protection platform, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege elevation. The flaw specifically enables local executing users to perform operations that should typically be restricted based on their assigned permissions, fundamentally undermining the security model of the endpoint protection system.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the software's privilege checking mechanisms, where the system fails to properly validate whether the executing process has adequate authorization levels to perform sensitive operations. The underlying flaw manifests in the improper implementation of access control checks within the endpoint agent, allowing malicious scripts or programs to bypass normal security boundaries. This type of vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-269, which specifically addresses improper privilege management in software systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7285 is significant as it provides attackers with the capability to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative or system-level access. This escalation allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code, modify system files, install additional malware, or access sensitive data that would normally be protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where McAfee MVISION Endpoint is deployed, potentially compromising entire networks if exploited successfully. Organizations running affected versions face increased risk of persistent threats and data breaches due to the elevated privileges that can be gained through this flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7285 center on immediate patching of affected systems to version 20.5.0.94 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the privilege escalation vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect anomalous privilege escalation activities and establish strict access control policies to minimize potential damage from exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploit techniques, making it a critical target for defensive measures and security hardening activities. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all endpoint protection systems are maintained at current security levels to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.