CVE-2017-5695 in SSD
Summary
by MITRE
Data corruption vulnerability in firmware in Intel Solid-State Drive Consumer, Professional, Embedded, Data Center affected firmware versions LSBG200, LSF031C, LSF036C, LBF010C, LSBG100, LSF031C, LSF036C, LBF010C, LSF031P, LSF036P, LBF010P, LSF031P, LSF036P, LBF010P, LSMG200, LSF031E, LSF036E, LSMG100, LSF031E, LSF036E, LSDG200, LSF031D, LSF036D allows local users to cause a denial of service via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-5695 represents a critical data corruption issue affecting Intel Solid-State Drive firmware across multiple consumer, professional, embedded, and data center product lines. This flaw manifests within the firmware components of Intel SSDs that utilize specific firmware versions including LSBG200, LSF031C, LSF036C, LBF010C, LSBG100, LSF031P, LSF036P, LBF010P, LSMG200, LSF031E, LSF036E, LSMG100, LSF031D, LSF036D, LSDG200, and their respective variants. The vulnerability operates at the firmware level, which places it in the domain of low-level system operations where errors can cascade into severe operational failures. According to CWE-119, this vulnerability falls under memory safety issues, specifically involving improper handling of data within firmware memory spaces that can lead to unauthorized data manipulation and system instability. The attack vector is classified as local, meaning that exploitation requires physical or administrative access to the affected system, though this does not mitigate the potential impact on system availability and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the firmware's handling of data operations that can result in corruption of critical system information or storage structures. When exploited, the flaw allows local users to trigger a denial of service condition that can render the affected SSDs unusable or cause them to malfunction during normal operations. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through various firmware interaction patterns or data processing sequences, making it particularly challenging to defend against through traditional network-based security measures. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 which involves the use of command and scripting interpreters, where local system access could enable exploitation through firmware modification or manipulation. The root cause of the vulnerability lies in inadequate validation or handling of data within the SSD firmware, potentially allowing malformed or malicious inputs to corrupt the device's operational state and lead to complete system failure or data unavailability.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5695 extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential data loss and system instability across enterprise and consumer environments. Organizations relying on Intel SSDs for critical operations face significant risk of service disruption, particularly in data center environments where SSD reliability is paramount for maintaining system uptime. The vulnerability affects a wide range of SSD models including consumer-grade drives, professional storage solutions, embedded systems, and enterprise data center arrays, indicating a broad attack surface that could impact multiple sectors. When an SSD experiences data corruption due to this firmware flaw, the consequences can include complete system crashes, data read/write failures, and potential data loss that may require complete device replacement. The local nature of the attack means that physical access or administrative privileges are required, but this does not prevent the vulnerability from being exploited by malicious insiders or attackers who have gained administrative access to systems. According to industry standards and security frameworks, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of firmware security and the need for robust firmware integrity verification mechanisms. The impact on system availability and data integrity makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where continuous operation is required, such as financial services, healthcare systems, and industrial control systems where SSD failures can have cascading effects on entire operational infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5695 should focus on firmware updates and enhanced system monitoring to prevent exploitation. Intel has released firmware updates to address this vulnerability, and system administrators should immediately apply these patches to all affected devices. The mitigation approach should also include implementing firmware integrity checking mechanisms and monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should establish robust patch management procedures specifically for firmware updates to ensure that all SSD components receive timely security fixes. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of local exploitation by restricting administrative access to critical systems. Additionally, regular system audits and integrity verification checks should be implemented to detect any signs of firmware corruption or unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware across all system components and implementing security measures that address the unique challenges posed by firmware-level vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with firmware corruption or denial of service conditions, providing early warning capabilities for potential exploitation attempts.