CVE-2024-49592 is a vulnerability identified in the legacy trial installer for McAfee Total Protection version 16.0.53. The root cause is an uncontrolled search path element, classified under CWE-427, which allows an attacker with local access to perform DLL-squatting. This attack technique involves placing a malicious DLL in a directory that the installer searches before the legitimate DLL, causing the installer to load the malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is limited to the execution phase of the installer and does not persist after installation, meaning the installed McAfee product remains secure. Exploitation requires local access, some user interaction, and the attacker must have at least low privileges to execute the installer. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.7 reflects a medium severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but with higher attack complexity and user interaction requirements. No patches or updates are available since the affected product is no longer supported. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, reducing immediate risk but not eliminating it. The vulnerability highlights risks associated with legacy software and the importance of removing or isolating unsupported installers. Organizations should be cautious about running legacy installers and consider alternative deployment methods or environment hardening to mitigate DLL-squatting risks.

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges on affected systems by executing malicious code with elevated rights during the installer execution. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, modification or corruption of system files, and potential disruption of system availability. Although the installed McAfee product is not vulnerable post-installation, the attack window during installation could be leveraged to compromise the system. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in environments where multiple users share systems or where attackers have gained initial footholds. The lack of ongoing support and patches increases the risk for organizations still using legacy trial installers, potentially exposing them to privilege escalation attacks that could facilitate further lateral movement or persistence within networks.

Since the affected McAfee Total Protection trial installer is no longer supported and no patches are available, organizations should avoid running this legacy installer altogether. If installation is necessary, perform it in a controlled, isolated environment with strict access controls to prevent unauthorized DLL placement. Employ application whitelisting and restrict write permissions on directories included in the installer's search path to prevent DLL-squatting. Use endpoint protection solutions that monitor and block suspicious DLL loading behavior. Educate users about the risks of running legacy installers and enforce policies that prohibit execution of unsupported software. Consider upgrading to supported versions of McAfee Total Protection or alternative security products that do not have this vulnerability. Regularly audit systems for legacy software and remove or replace outdated installers to reduce attack surface.