CVE-2019-12759 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) and Symantec Mail Security for MS Exchange (SMSMSE) versions prior to 14.2 RU2 and 7.5.x may be vulnerable to a privilege escalation issue.

Understanding CVE-2019-12759

Versions of Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) and Symantec Mail Security for MS Exchange (SMSMSE) that are earlier than 14.2 RU2 and 7.5.x respectively may have a vulnerability that could potentially allow privileged escalation.

What is CVE-2019-12759?

CVE-2019-12759 is a vulnerability in Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) and Symantec Mail Security for MS Exchange (SMSMSE) that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain higher access privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12759

This vulnerability could lead to privilege escalation, enabling attackers to access resources typically protected from unauthorized users or applications.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12759

Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) and Symantec Mail Security for MS Exchange (SMSMSE) versions prior to 14.2 RU2 and 7.5.x respectively are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the software application to elevate their access privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) prior to version 14.2 RU2
Symantec Mail Security for MS Exchange (SMSMSE) prior to version 7.5.x

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated access to resources protected from ordinary users or applications.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Update Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) to version 14.2 RU2 or later.
Update Symantec Mail Security for MS Exchange (SMSMSE) to version 7.5.x or later. Long-Term Security Practices:
Regularly monitor for security updates and patches from Symantec.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit potential damage.
Conduct security assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Educate users on best practices for identifying and reporting suspicious activities.
Consider implementing additional security measures such as network segmentation.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) and Symantec Mail Security for MS Exchange (SMSMSE) are regularly updated with the latest patches and security fixes.