CVE-2020-7339 in Database Security Server Sensor
Summary
by MITRE • 12/10/2020
Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm vulnerability in McAfee Database Security Server and Sensor prior to 4.8.0 in the form of a SHA1 signed certificate that would allow an attacker on the same local network to potentially intercept communication between the Server and Sensors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7339 represents a critical cryptographic weakness in McAfee Database Security Server and Sensor products prior to version 4.8.0. This issue stems from the use of SHA1 hashing algorithm in certificate signatures, which has been widely deprecated due to known security vulnerabilities and collision attacks. The flaw exists within the communication protocols that govern how the Database Security Server authenticates and establishes secure connections with Sensor components, creating a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks when network traffic is intercepted. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication mechanism that ensures secure communication between the server and sensor components, potentially allowing unauthorized parties to compromise the integrity of database security monitoring operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the use of SHA1-based digital signatures within the certificate infrastructure that authenticates communications between the McAfee Database Security Server and its associated sensors. SHA1 has been demonstrated to be vulnerable to collision attacks since 2017, with the first practical collision attack (SHAttered) published in 2017, making it unsuitable for security-critical applications. When an attacker operates on the same local network segment, they can potentially intercept and manipulate communication streams between the server and sensors, exploiting the weak cryptographic foundation to either impersonate legitimate components or decrypt sensitive information transmitted during database security monitoring operations. This weakness directly violates the principle of secure communication and authentication that cryptographic systems are designed to provide.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it compromises the fundamental security posture of database security monitoring systems. Organizations relying on McAfee Database Security products for protecting critical database assets face potential exposure to unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and disruption of security monitoring capabilities. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into database activities, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks against the underlying database systems themselves. The local network requirement for exploitation means that attackers must be within the same broadcast domain, but this limitation does not mitigate the severity given that many database environments have relatively open network architectures or lack proper segmentation. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of database security monitoring data, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to McAfee Database Security Server and Sensor version 4.8.0 or later, which addresses this vulnerability through the implementation of stronger cryptographic algorithms. The remediation process should include comprehensive network segmentation to reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of local network-based attacks. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of their database security infrastructure to identify any other systems using SHA1-based certificates or cryptographic implementations, as this vulnerability represents a broader pattern of outdated cryptographic practices. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also implementing proper certificate management practices to ensure that all cryptographic components meet current security standards. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and represents a specific implementation of the broader ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through network sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network access controls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security assessments to reduce the risk of exploitation and maintain compliance with security frameworks.