CVE-2018-18369 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability affecting Norton Security and Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition has been identified, allowing for DLL Preloading exploitation.

Understanding CVEA-2018-18369

This CVE involves a DLL Preloading vulnerability in specific versions of Norton Security and Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition, potentially enabling malicious DLL execution.

What is CVE-2018-18369?

The vulnerability in Norton Security and Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition versions prior to specified releases allows attackers to substitute a legitimate DLL with a malicious one, leading to unauthorized code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18369

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access, data theft, system compromise, and potential escalation of privileges on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18369

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a DLL Preloading issue, where an application may unknowingly load a malicious DLL instead of the intended one, leading to potential security breaches.

Affected Systems and Versions

Norton Security versions prior to 22.16.3
Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition versions prior to Cloud Agent 3.00.31.2817, NIS-22.15.2.22, and SEP-12.1.7484 7002

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the DLL loading process, substituting a legitimate DLL with a malicious one to execute unauthorized code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-18369 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

-Ensure to update affected software to the latest patched versions promptly. -Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks. -Deploy security solutions to detect and prevent DLL Preloading attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit DLL loading processes for anomalies.
Educate users on safe software installation practices to prevent DLL substitution attacks.

Patching and Updates

Symantec has released patches addressing the DLL Preloading vulnerability in Norton Security and Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition. Apply these updates to secure the systems against potential exploits.