CVE-2022-0862 in being
Summary
by MITRE • 03/23/2022
A lack of password change protection vulnerability in a depreciated API of McAfee Enterprise ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) prior to 5.10 Update 13 allows a remote attacker to change the password of a compromised session without knowing the existing user's password. This functionality was removed from the User Interface in ePO 10 and the API has now been disabled. Other protection is in place to reduce the likelihood of this being successful through sending a link to a logged in user.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0862 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within McAfee Enterprise ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) versions prior to 5.10 Update 13. This issue stems from a deprecated application programming interface that retained functionality despite being removed from the graphical user interface in ePO version 10. The vulnerability specifically targets the password change mechanism within the legacy API, allowing remote attackers to manipulate user sessions without possessing the legitimate user's current password credentials. This represents a significant weakness in the authentication framework that undermines the fundamental security principle of password protection and session management. The flaw operates through a design oversight where the API endpoint remained accessible and functional even though the user interface component was decommissioned, creating a persistent attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the insufficient validation mechanisms within the deprecated password change API endpoint. When a user session becomes compromised, attackers can leverage this API functionality to modify user passwords without requiring knowledge of the existing password, effectively enabling unauthorized access to accounts. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-602, which specifically addresses client-side enforcement of server-side security checks, and represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference where the API does not properly validate session ownership or user authorization before executing password modification requests. The vulnerability's persistence in the system demonstrates poor software lifecycle management where deprecated components were not properly secured or disabled, leaving open attack vectors that could be exploited by threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to maintain persistent access to compromised systems and potentially escalate privileges within the ePO environment. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can assume control of user sessions and manipulate the authentication state of legitimate users, creating opportunities for further exploitation and lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using older versions of ePO where the deprecated API endpoints remain active, potentially exposing critical security infrastructure to unauthorized access. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal prior knowledge of the target system, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns. The vulnerability's presence in legacy systems also indicates a broader security gap in vulnerability management processes that allowed outdated components to persist without proper security hardening.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including disabling the deprecated API endpoints within their ePO configurations, upgrading to ePO version 5.10 Update 13 or later, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining instances of the deprecated functionality. Network segmentation and monitoring controls should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts to the affected API endpoints, while also ensuring that proper access controls and authentication mechanisms are enforced throughout the system. Security teams should also review their software lifecycle management processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, ensuring that deprecated components are properly decommissioned and secured. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which focuses on legitimate credentials and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting through various attack vectors, emphasizing the need for comprehensive credential protection measures. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation and proper API security controls that should be enforced across all system components to prevent unauthorized access and privilege escalation attacks.