CVE-2026-16174 in Endpoint DLP
Summary
by MITRE • 09/11/2026
Netskope was notified about a potential gap in Netskope Endpoint DLP (EPDLP) running on Windows systems. Successful exploitation of the gap could potentially allow a privileged user to send a crafted message to the EPDLP process port to trigger an integer overflow, leading to memory corruption. Successful exploitation would require the EPDLP module to be enabled in the client configuration, and that Memory Integrity is disabled. A successful exploit could potentially result in a denial-of-service, arbitrary code execution, or privilege escalation on the local machine.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2026
The vulnerability identified within Netskope Endpoint Data Loss Prevention (EPDLP) for Windows environments represents a critical security flaw rooted in improper input validation and memory management practices. Specifically, the issue manifests as an integer overflow condition that occurs when the EPDLP process receives crafted messages via its designated communication port. This technical deficiency allows data to be written beyond the boundaries of allocated memory buffers, leading directly to heap or stack corruption. The root cause lies in the failure of the application to adequately verify the size and structure of incoming network packets before processing them into internal data structures. When a privileged user on the local system sends a specially crafted message designed to exploit this arithmetic error, it triggers an overflow that corrupts adjacent memory regions. This type of flaw is classically categorized under CWE-190 Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which often serves as a precursor to more severe exploitation vectors such as buffer overflows and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to the high privileges typically held by users who can interact with endpoint security agents. If an attacker successfully exploits this integer overflow, they gain the ability to manipulate memory in ways that compromise the integrity of the EPDLP process itself. The immediate consequence is often a denial-of-service condition where the agent crashes or becomes unresponsive, effectively disabling data loss prevention controls on the host. However, the more severe implication involves arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation. By carefully crafting the overflow payload to overwrite function pointers or return addresses in memory, an attacker can redirect the flow of execution within the context of the EPDLP process. Since endpoint security agents typically run with elevated system privileges, successfully executing code through this vector grants the attacker full control over the operating system, allowing for complete compromise of the host machine including access to sensitive data and lateral movement capabilities across the network.
Exploitation of this vulnerability is not trivial as it requires specific environmental conditions to be met. The EPDLP module must be actively enabled in the client configuration, ensuring that the vulnerable service is running and listening on its designated port. Furthermore, the target system must have Memory Integrity disabled. Memory Integrity, also known as Kernel Mode Code Signing enforcement or HVCI depending on the Windows version, acts as a critical defense mechanism by preventing unsigned code from executing in kernel mode and restricting certain types of memory corruption attacks. When this feature is disabled, the operating system lacks these hardware-enforced protections, making it significantly easier for an attacker to leverage memory corruption techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct shellcode injection without being blocked by security policies. This dependency on configuration settings highlights that while the vulnerability exists in the software logic, its exploitability is heavily influenced by the host's security posture and administrative configurations.
To mitigate this risk, organizations should prioritize applying vendor-provided patches that address the integer overflow condition within the EPDLP agent code. Until updates are available or deployed, administrators can reduce exposure by ensuring that Memory Integrity is enabled on all endpoints running Netskope EPDLP. This setting provides a robust layer of defense against memory corruption exploits even if the underlying software flaw remains unpatched. Additionally, restricting local administrative privileges to only those users who strictly require them for system management tasks reduces the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Network segmentation and monitoring can also help detect anomalous traffic patterns directed at the EPDLP port, although since exploitation requires a privileged user on the local machine, network controls alone are insufficient without proper endpoint hardening and patch management strategies aligned with industry standards such as CIS Benchmarks for Windows security configuration.