CVE-2013-5740 in C204 Chipset
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) SINIT Authenticated Code Modules (ACM) before 1.2, as used by the Intel QM77, QS77, Q77 Express, C216, Q67 Express, C202, C204, and C206 chipsets and Mobile Intel QM67 and QS67 chipsets, when the measured launch environment (MLE) is invoked, allows local users to bypass the Trusted Execution Technology protection mechanism and perform other unspecified SINIT ACM functions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5740 represents a critical weakness in Intel's Trusted Execution Technology implementation that affects multiple chipset families including QM77, QS77, Q77 Express, C216, Q67 Express, C202, C204, C206, and the Mobile Intel QM67 and QS67 chipsets. This flaw exists within the SINIT ACM (Authenticated Code Modules) component that serves as a foundational element of Intel's TXT security framework, which is designed to provide hardware-based trusted execution capabilities. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the measured launch environment is invoked, creating a window of opportunity for exploitation that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the TXT protection mechanism.
The technical flaw in CVE-2013-5740 stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the SINIT ACM modules that are responsible for authenticating and initializing the trusted execution environment. When a system invokes the measured launch environment, the vulnerability allows local attackers to bypass the normal authentication procedures that should prevent unauthorized access to the SINIT ACM functions. This represents a significant deviation from the expected behavior where only authenticated and authorized code should be able to interact with the core TXT infrastructure. The unspecified vectors of exploitation suggest that the vulnerability may be accessible through multiple attack pathways, potentially including direct memory manipulation or exploitation of trust relationships within the chipset's boot process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it fundamentally undermines the security guarantees provided by Intel's TXT technology, which is designed to protect against malicious code injection and unauthorized system modifications during the boot process. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can bypass the trusted execution environment and potentially gain access to functions that should remain restricted, leading to possible system compromise and the ability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on TXT for security purposes, including enterprise environments where hardware-based security is considered critical for protecting sensitive data and maintaining system integrity. This weakness particularly impacts systems where measured launch environments are enabled, as it allows attackers to subvert the security model that was intended to protect against rootkits, bootkits, and other low-level malware.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5740 should focus on updating the SINIT ACM modules to version 1.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. System administrators should also consider disabling TXT functionality if it is not required for their specific use case, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unauthorized SINIT ACM function calls can help detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a significant concern for the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, particularly in the context of bootkits and firmware-level attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing hardware security modules and continuous monitoring solutions to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts that could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent footholds within trusted execution environments.