CVE-2009-0066 in Trusted Execution Technology
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Intel system software for Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) allow attackers to bypass intended loader integrity protections, as demonstrated by exploitation of tboot. NOTE: as of 20090107, the only disclosure is a vague pre-advisory with no actionable information. However, because it is from a well-known researcher, it is being assigned a CVE identifier for tracking purposes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0066 represents a critical security flaw within Intel's Trusted Execution Technology implementation, specifically affecting the system software components designed to protect the boot process integrity. This issue resides in the Intel TXT framework which was developed to provide hardware-based trusted computing capabilities, enabling systems to establish a secure boot environment through measured and verified boot processes. The vulnerability impacts the tboot loader, which serves as a critical component in the trusted boot chain by ensuring that the boot process remains unaltered and secure from malicious interference. The disclosure indicates that this vulnerability allows attackers to circumvent the intended integrity protections that TXT is designed to enforce, potentially undermining the fundamental security guarantees of the platform's boot process. This weakness demonstrates the complexity and potential risks associated with hardware-based security mechanisms when implementation flaws exist within the system software stack.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from unspecified flaws within the Intel system software that governs the Trusted Execution Technology functionality, particularly concerning how the boot loader validates the integrity of the system components during the boot sequence. The vulnerability specifically targets the protection mechanisms that are supposed to prevent unauthorized modifications to the boot process, allowing attackers to potentially inject malicious code or alter the boot sequence without detection. The fact that this vulnerability affects the tboot component is particularly concerning as it represents a fundamental failure in the chain of trust that trusted computing is designed to establish. The implementation flaw likely involves improper validation of boot components, insufficient cryptographic checks, or inadequate verification procedures that enable attackers to bypass security measures that should prevent unauthorized boot code execution. This type of vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in system components, and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement during the boot process.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0066 extends beyond simple security bypass capabilities to potentially enable sophisticated attack vectors that could compromise entire systems. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to systems before the operating system loads, effectively bypassing all traditional security controls and defenses that would normally protect the platform. This vulnerability creates a window of opportunity for attackers to install rootkits, modify boot loaders, or inject malicious code that persists through system reboots and remains undetected by conventional security mechanisms. The implications are particularly severe for environments where trusted computing is relied upon for security, such as financial systems, government infrastructure, or enterprise environments requiring high-security standards. The vulnerability essentially undermines the core security model of Trusted Execution Technology, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors or compromise the integrity of the entire computing platform. This represents a significant threat to the security posture of systems that depend on hardware-based security measures for their protection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through Intel's official patches and updates, while also implementing additional security layers to compensate for the compromised boot integrity protections. Organizations should ensure that all systems utilizing Intel TXT technology receive the latest firmware and software updates from Intel to address the identified flaws in the system software implementation. System administrators should consider implementing additional boot integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to boot processes, as well as establishing robust network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the risks associated with relying solely on hardware-based security mechanisms without proper software implementation validation. Organizations should also consider implementing alternative security measures such as full disk encryption, secure boot implementations, and regular integrity verification processes to compensate for the compromised TXT functionality. The incident underscores the necessity of comprehensive security testing and validation of security-critical system components, as well as the importance of maintaining awareness of security advisories from trusted sources like Intel and other security researchers. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even hardware-based security solutions require careful implementation and ongoing maintenance to remain effective against evolving threats.