CVE-2017-5683 in Hardware Accelerated Execution Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Privilege escalation in IntelHAXM.sys driver in the Intel Hardware Accelerated Execution Manager before version 6.0.6 allows a local user to gain system level access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5683 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Intel Hardware Accelerated Execution Manager HAXM driver component. This issue affects systems running Intel HAXM versions prior to 6.0.6 and specifically targets the IntelHAXM.sys kernel driver that facilitates hardware-assisted virtualization capabilities. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and access control mechanisms within the driver's implementation, creating a pathway for local attackers to elevate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The flaw is particularly concerning because it directly impacts the security boundaries of virtualization environments, which are fundamental to modern computing security models and often serve as trusted execution environments for sensitive operations.
The technical root cause of this privilege escalation vulnerability lies in the kernel-mode driver's insufficient validation of user-supplied input parameters when processing specific IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests. The IntelHAXM.sys driver exposes several interface points that allow user-mode applications to communicate with the kernel driver, but the validation logic for these interfaces fails to properly sanitize or verify the data being passed from user space. This allows an attacker to craft malicious IOCTL requests that manipulate internal driver state or bypass access controls, ultimately enabling the execution of arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow or more specifically a privilege escalation issue under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management, where the driver fails to properly enforce privilege boundaries between user and kernel modes.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5683 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of systems utilizing Intel HAXM for virtualization. Once an attacker achieves system-level access through this vulnerability, they can bypass virtually all security controls that depend on standard privilege separation, including data encryption, access controls, and system integrity protections. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only local user access, making it exploitable in scenarios where attackers have already gained initial access to a system through other means such as phishing or credential theft. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. Systems running virtualization software, development environments, and enterprise systems that rely on Intel HAXM for performance optimization become particularly vulnerable, as the attack can be executed without requiring network access or sophisticated exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5683 primarily focus on updating to the patched version of Intel HAXM, specifically version 6.0.6 or later, which addresses the privilege escalation vulnerability through proper input validation and access control enforcement. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular patch management procedures, monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintaining least-privilege access controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of kernel-mode security validation and proper privilege enforcement in virtualization drivers, as highlighted by security frameworks such as the Common Vulnerability Scoring System which would rate this vulnerability highly due to its local privilege escalation nature. System administrators should also consider disabling Intel HAXM functionality when it is not required for development or testing purposes, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Additionally, implementing runtime protection mechanisms and endpoint detection systems can help identify and prevent exploitation attempts before they can result in successful privilege escalation.