Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2020-7314 is a local privilege escalation issue in McAfee DXL Client for Mac, shipped with McAfee Agent for Mac before 5.6.6. A user already on a Mac could potentially get root-level control because installer temporary files had incorrect permissions.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority endpoint hygiene issue, especially for shared or user-accessible Macs. It is not described as remotely exploitable, but successful abuse could give root control on affected devices.
Technical view
The CVE describes CWE-732 incorrect permission assignment in the McAfee DXL for Mac installer. The flaw is local, low complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction, and has changed scope with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact under CVSS 3.1 score 8.2.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Mac endpoints running McAfee Agent for Mac versions before 5.6.6 where the DXL Client component was shipped or installed. The source bundle identifies 5.6.x as affected but does not enumerate every build.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not report active exploitation, and CISA KEV status is false. Exploitation requires local access and some user interaction, so this is most relevant where untrusted or lower-privileged users can access managed Macs.
Researcher notes
Core facts come from the CVE record and McAfee advisory reference. The bundle does not provide exploit details, active exploitation evidence, or alternate workarounds beyond the fixed-version boundary implied by “prior to MA 5.6.6.”
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade McAfee Agent for Mac to version 5.6.6 or later.
- Review McAfee advisory SB10325 for vendor-specific remediation details.
- Prioritize Macs with shared, developer, lab, or contractor access.
- Reduce unnecessary local user access on affected Macs until remediated.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Mac endpoints running McAfee Agent and DXL Client.
- Confirm each Mac is on McAfee Agent for Mac 5.6.6 or later.
- Identify endpoints still on affected 5.6.x versions.
- Check endpoint management records for successful upgrade deployment.
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-732: Authorization and privilege behavior lookup
Authorization weaknesses can support privilege escalation and valid-account review, depending on exploit path. 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-2020-7314 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
- 8.2 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/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:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H1.56Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.2HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/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=SB10325CVE 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.
Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource
Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.