CVE-2020-7307 in Data Loss Prevention
Summary
by MITRE
Unprotected Storage of Credentials vulnerability in McAfee Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for Mac prior to 11.5.2 allows local users to gain access to the RiskDB username and password via unprotected log files containing plain text credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7307 represents a critical security flaw in McAfee Data Loss Prevention for Mac versions prior to 11.5.2, classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-312 which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials. This issue manifests as an unprotected storage of credentials vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the security posture of the affected system by storing authentication details in plain text within log files accessible to local users. The vulnerability stems from inadequate protection mechanisms that fail to encrypt or obfuscate sensitive authentication information during the logging process, creating an exploitable condition that directly violates established security best practices for credential management.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs within the McAfee DLP for Mac client software where authentication credentials required for database connectivity are written to log files without proper encryption or access controls. Local users with access to these log files can directly extract the RiskDB username and password in plain text format, eliminating any need for sophisticated attack vectors or additional exploitation techniques. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the file system level where standard user privileges may be sufficient to read the log files containing the credentials, effectively transforming a local access condition into a privilege escalation scenario that can lead to unauthorized database access and potential data exfiltration.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on McAfee DLP for Mac as it enables local attackers to gain unauthorized access to database credentials that could potentially provide access to sensitive data repositories, user information, and system configurations. The exposure of these credentials through unprotected log files represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and creates opportunities for both internal and external threat actors to escalate their access within the organization's security infrastructure. The vulnerability also impacts the overall integrity of the DLP solution's security model, as it undermines the trust model that organizations place in the software to properly protect sensitive information.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2020-7307 requires immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to McAfee DLP for Mac version 11.5.2 or later, which addresses the root cause by implementing proper credential protection mechanisms within the logging framework. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive log file audits to identify any instances where credentials may have been exposed through existing log files and implement additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access to sensitive log data. Security configurations should include mandatory encryption of log files containing sensitive information and strict access controls limiting who can read these files. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 which covers "Unsecured Credentials" and demonstrates the importance of proper credential handling practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-63B guidelines for secure authentication system design.