McAfee Security Bulletin: VirusScan Enterprise update fixes protections bypass vulnerability (CVE-2016-4534)
Security Bulletins ID:
SB10158
Last Modified: 5/16/2017
Last Modified: 5/16/2017
Summary
First Published: 4/29/2016
| Impact of Vulnerability: | Application Protections Bypass (CWE-592) |
| CVE Numbers: | CVE-2016-4534 |
| Severity Rating: | Low |
| CVSS v3 Base / Temporal Scores: | 2.9 / 2.8 |
| Recommendations: | Install all patches described in SB10151 first, then install the VirusScan Enterprise (VSE) hotfix. |
| Security Bulletin Replacement: | Related to SB10151: same discoverer, similar patch sequence, different vulnerability. |
| Affected Software: | VSE 8.8.0 |
| Location of Updated Software: | http://www.mcafee.com/us/downloads/downloads.aspx |
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Article contents:
Description
This update addresses an issue with VSE where closing the registry handles for the VSE process mcconsole.exe using Process Explorer (or similar tools) could be exploited to unlock the password protected VirusScan Console window.
This trusted access bypass vulnerability allows access to resources normally protected by VSE.
CVE-2016-4534
The McAfee VirusScan Console (mcconsol.exe) in McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.8.0 before Hotfix 1123565 (8.8.0.1546) on Windows allows local administrators to bypass intended self-protection rules and unlock the console window by closing registry handles.
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-4534
CVE-2016-4534
The McAfee VirusScan Console (mcconsol.exe) in McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.8.0 before Hotfix 1123565 (8.8.0.1546) on Windows allows local administrators to bypass intended self-protection rules and unlock the console window by closing registry handles.
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2016-4534
CWE-592
Application Protections Bypass
Application Protections Bypass
Remediation
IMPORTANT: Install all patches described in SB10151 first, then apply this VSE hotfix. This hotfix supports both VSE 8.8.0 Patch 6 and VSE 8.8.0 Patch 7.
| Product | Type | Version | Release Build | File Name | Release Date |
| VSE | Hotfix | 8.8.0 Patch 6/7 Hotfix 1123565 | 8.8.0.1546 | VSE880P7HF1123565.zip | April 29, 2016 |
Recommended Installation Sequence
Install all patches described in SB10151 first, then apply the VSE hotfix. For example, first install: VSE 8.8.0.1528, and then install: VSE 8.8.0 Patch 6/7 Hotfix 1123565 8.8.0.1546 (above).
See KB56057 for instructions on how to download McAfee products, documentation, security updates, patches, and hotfixes. Review the Release Notes and the Installation Guide, which you can download from the Documentation tab, for instructions on how to install these updates.
Acknowledgements
McAfee credits Maurizio Agazzini (also known as inode) https://www.linkedin.com/in/maurizio-agazzini-b915243 from Mediaservice.net (http://techblog.mediaservice.net/author/inode/) for reporting this flaw in VSE.
He reported it as one of two examples of the same vulnerability; however, upon further investigation it was determined that two different vulnerabilities were actually reported. This hotfix fixes Example #1 described at https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136089. SB10151 fixes Example #2 described at https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136089.
He reported it as one of two examples of the same vulnerability; however, upon further investigation it was determined that two different vulnerabilities were actually reported. This hotfix fixes Example #1 described at https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136089. SB10151 fixes Example #2 described at https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/136089.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know whether my McAfee product is vulnerable or not?
For Endpoint products:
Use the following instructions for endpoint or client based products:
CVSS, or Common Vulnerability Scoring System, is the result of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council’s effort to standardize a system of assessing the criticality of a vulnerability. This system offers an unbiased criticality score between 0 and 10 that customers can use to judge how critical a vulnerability is and plan accordingly. For more information, please visit the CVSS website at: http://www.first.org/cvss/.
When calculating CVSS scores, McAfee has adopted a philosophy that fosters consistency and repeatability. Our guiding principle for CVSS scoring is to score the exploit under consideration by itself. We consider only the immediate and direct impact of the exploit under consideration. We do not factor into a score any potential follow-on exploits that might be made possible by successful exploitation of the issue being scored
What are the CVSS scoring metrics that have been used?
CVE-2016-4534: Unlocking the password protected VirusScan Console window by closing the registry handles for the VSE process "mcconsole.exe"
CVSS v3.0 Scoring:
NOTE: The below CVSS version 3.0 vector was used to generate this score.
https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0#CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L/E:F/RL:T/RC:C
Where can I find a list of all security bulletins or how do I report a product vulnerability?
To find a list of all security bulletins, or if you have information about a security issue or vulnerability with a McAfee product, please visit our product security website at: http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat-center/product-security-bulletins.aspx.
For Endpoint products:
Use the following instructions for endpoint or client based products:
- Right-click on the McAfee tray shield icon on the Windows task bar.
- Select Open Console.
- In the console, select Action Menu.
- In the Action Menu, select Product Details. The product version is displayed.
CVSS, or Common Vulnerability Scoring System, is the result of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council’s effort to standardize a system of assessing the criticality of a vulnerability. This system offers an unbiased criticality score between 0 and 10 that customers can use to judge how critical a vulnerability is and plan accordingly. For more information, please visit the CVSS website at: http://www.first.org/cvss/.
When calculating CVSS scores, McAfee has adopted a philosophy that fosters consistency and repeatability. Our guiding principle for CVSS scoring is to score the exploit under consideration by itself. We consider only the immediate and direct impact of the exploit under consideration. We do not factor into a score any potential follow-on exploits that might be made possible by successful exploitation of the issue being scored
| Base Score | 2.9 |
| Attack Vector (AV) | Local (L) |
| Attack Complexity (AC) | High (H) |
| Privileges Required (PR) | High (H) |
| User Interaction (UI) | Required (R) |
| Scope (S) | Unchanged (U) |
| Confidentiality (C) | None (N) |
| Integrity (I) | Low (L) |
| Availability (A) | Low (L) |
| Temporal Score (Overall) | 2.8 |
| Exploitability (E) | Functional (F) |
| Remediation Level (RL) | Temporary Fix (T) |
| Report Confidence (RC) | Confirmed (C) |
NOTE: The below CVSS version 3.0 vector was used to generate this score.
https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0#CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L/E:F/RL:T/RC:C
Where can I find a list of all security bulletins or how do I report a product vulnerability?
To find a list of all security bulletins, or if you have information about a security issue or vulnerability with a McAfee product, please visit our product security website at: http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat-center/product-security-bulletins.aspx.
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