Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2020-7290 is a local privilege escalation issue in McAfee Active Response for Linux. A malicious script or program could perform functions beyond the local user's allowed permissions. It matters most on Linux systems where MAR 2.4.x is installed and local code execution by lower-privileged users or processes is possible.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority where MAR for Linux is deployed on shared or high-value systems. It is not described as remotely exploitable, but successful abuse could undermine confidentiality, integrity, and availability on affected hosts.
Technical view
The CVE affects McAfee Active Response for Linux 2.4.x before 2.4.3 Hotfix 1. It is classified as CWE-274 and scored CVSS 3.1 7.8 with local attack vector, high complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, changed scope, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux hosts running McAfee Active Response 2.4.x before 2.4.3 Hotfix 1. The vulnerability is local, so risk depends on whether lower-privileged users, compromised accounts, or local scripts can execute on those hosts.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cite active exploitation. Public details state local execution by a malicious script or program is required, but do not provide root-cause specifics, exploit maturity, or observed attack activity.
Researcher notes
Evidence is concise. The CVE identifies privilege management weakness, affected product/version, and fixed threshold, but does not disclose root cause, exploit indicators, or detection artifacts. Validation should focus on installed MAR version and local execution exposure.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade MAR for Linux to 2.4.3 Hotfix 1 or later per vendor guidance.
- Inventory Linux systems for McAfee Active Response 2.4.x installations.
- Restrict local user and script execution on unpatched MAR Linux hosts.
- Review McAfee security bulletin SB10317 for supported remediation details.
- Prioritize servers where low-privileged users can run local code.
Validation and detection
- Confirm each MAR Linux host version is not prior to 2.4.3 Hotfix 1.
- Match deployed versions against McAfee bulletin SB10317 and the CVE record.
- Verify vulnerable 2.4.x packages are removed or updated.
- Document any remaining vulnerable hosts with business owner and remediation date.
- Check whether compensating local access controls are active until patching completes.
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-2020-7290 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
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H1.16Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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=SB10317CVE 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.