Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
McAfee Endpoint Security for Windows could let a low-privileged local user cause McAfee to delete files they normally could not touch. The attacker must already run a malicious script or program on the target machine. The business risk is local privilege escalation and possible disruption on affected Windows endpoints.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for affected endpoints, especially user workstations and shared systems. It is not described as remotely exploitable, but it can intensify compromise after local execution and may affect endpoint integrity or availability.
Technical view
CVE-2020-7264 is a symbolic-link privilege escalation in McAfee ENS for Windows before 10.7.0 Hotfix 199847. A local low-privileged user can manipulate links so a McAfee delete action targets an unintended file. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.8 with local access, low complexity, low privileges, and changed scope.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Windows endpoints running affected McAfee Endpoint Security versions before 10.7.0 Hotfix 199847. Systems without McAfee ENS for Windows, or already updated beyond the vulnerable hotfix level, are not indicated as affected by the source bundle.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited active exploitation. Exploitation requires local code execution through a malicious script or program on the target machine, so this is most concerning after phishing, malware execution, or insider access.
Researcher notes
The key behavior is unsafe handling of symbolic links during a McAfee delete action. Evidence supports local privilege escalation only; the bundle does not provide exploit telemetry, public exploit status, or affected CPEs. Validate against product version and hotfix state rather than product name alone.
Mitigation direction
- Apply McAfee ENS for Windows 10.7.0 Hotfix 199847 or later vendor guidance.
- Prioritize endpoints where users can execute local scripts or programs.
- Restrict local user privileges where operationally feasible.
- Check McAfee/Trellix advisory SB10316 for exact remediation instructions.
- Monitor endpoint protection policy exceptions and unexpected file deletion events.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows endpoints running McAfee Endpoint Security.
- Confirm ENS version and hotfix level on each endpoint.
- Flag any installation earlier than 10.7.0 Hotfix 199847.
- Review endpoint management records for failed or incomplete hotfix deployment.
- Confirm no unapproved local script execution paths remain exposed.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-274: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-7264 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H26Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10316CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Handling of Insufficient Privileges
Improper Handling of Insufficient Privileges represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.