CVE-2020-7253 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in McAfee Agent (MA) prior to version 5.6.4 could allow local users with administrator privileges to disable self-protection.

Understanding CVE-2020-7253

This CVE involves an improper access control vulnerability in McAfee Agent (MA) that could be exploited by local users.

What is CVE-2020-7253?

The vulnerability in masvc.exe in McAfee Agent (MA) before version 5.6.4 enables local users with admin rights to bypass self-protection using a McAfee command-line utility.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7253

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 5.7 (Medium severity) with high availability and integrity impact, affecting systems running the vulnerable McAfee Agent version.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7253

This section covers specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows local users with admin privileges to disable self-protection in McAfee Agent (MA) before version 5.6.4.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: McAfee Agent (MA)
Vendor: McAfee, LLC
Versions Affected: 5.6.x (specifically versions less than 5.6.4)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: High
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Vector String: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from the CVE and preventing exploitation is crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update McAfee Agent to version 5.6.4 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user permissions.
Regularly review and update security configurations and policies.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from McAfee and apply patches promptly to secure systems.