CVE-2017-3767 in ThinkPad
Summary
by MITRE
A local privilege escalation vulnerability was identified in the Realtek audio driver versions prior to 6.0.1.8224 in some Lenovo ThinkPad products. An attacker with local privileges could execute code with administrative privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3767 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within the Realtek audio driver component of certain Lenovo ThinkPad systems. This issue affects driver versions prior to 6.0.1.8224 and demonstrates how hardware driver vulnerabilities can create persistent security risks for enterprise and individual users alike. The flaw specifically resides in the audio driver's handling of privilege levels and memory management, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers with minimal local access to escalate their privileges to administrative or SYSTEM level access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege checking mechanisms within the Realtek audio driver code. When a local user executes specific operations against the audio driver interface, the system fails to properly validate the privilege level of the calling process or properly enforce access controls. This creates a condition where arbitrary code execution becomes possible within the context of the kernel or system-level processes. The flaw aligns with CWE-264, which describes "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" issues, specifically focusing on inadequate privilege enforcement mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that leverage the audio driver's interface to bypass normal security boundaries and gain elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with persistent access to systems that would otherwise remain protected by standard user account controls. Once successfully exploited, the attacker can execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, potentially enabling full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where ThinkPad laptops are commonly deployed, as it allows attackers who gain initial access through social engineering, phishing, or other means to quickly escalate their privileges and move laterally within networks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and demonstrates how driver-level vulnerabilities can be weaponized for broader attack objectives.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3767 primarily focus on driver updates and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves installing the updated Realtek audio driver version 6.0.1.8224 or later, which contains patches addressing the privilege escalation flaw. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as enabling driver signature enforcement, restricting local user privileges, and monitoring for suspicious driver activity. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current driver versions and implementing proper patch management processes, as outdated drivers often represent the most common attack surface for privilege escalation exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring and endpoint detection solutions that can identify anomalous driver behavior patterns indicative of exploitation attempts.