CVE-2017-5698 in Active Management Technology
Summary
by MITRE
Intel Active Management Technology, Intel Standard Manageability, and Intel Small Business Technology firmware versions 11.0.25.3001 and 11.0.26.3000 can be upgraded to firmware version 11.6.x.1xxx which is vulnerable to CVE-2017-5689 and can be performed by a local user with administrative privileges.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-5698 represents a critical security flaw within Intel's manageability technologies, specifically affecting Intel Active Management Technology AMT, Intel Standard Manageability, and Intel Small Business Technology implementations. These technologies provide remote management capabilities for enterprise devices but introduce significant attack surface when improperly configured or updated. The vulnerability stems from the firmware update process itself, where systems can be upgraded to versions that contain the known vulnerability CVE-2017-5689, which affects the Intel Management Engine firmware components. This creates a scenario where a local user with administrative privileges can perform an upgrade that introduces a known security weakness, effectively compromising the system's integrity and security posture.
The technical flaw manifests in the firmware upgrade mechanism that lacks proper validation and integrity checks for the target firmware versions. When a system is upgraded to firmware version 11.6.x.1xxx, it inadvertently introduces the vulnerability present in CVE-2017-5689, which is a privilege escalation vulnerability within the Intel Management Engine. This vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the firmware level, below the operating system, making it extremely difficult to detect and remediate. This aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and the vulnerability demonstrates how firmware-level access controls can be bypassed through legitimate update processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security architecture of managed enterprise environments. Organizations relying on Intel manageability technologies for remote system management become vulnerable to attacks that can compromise entire fleets of devices, especially when local administrative access is available to unauthorized users. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited by attackers who gain local administrative access, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers can leverage the compromised management engine to execute malicious commands. The risk is amplified in enterprise environments where multiple systems may be running vulnerable firmware versions, creating a potential attack vector for lateral movement and persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5698 require immediate action to prevent the upgrade to vulnerable firmware versions, as well as broader security measures to protect against exploitation. Organizations should implement strict firmware update policies that prevent automatic upgrades to versions known to contain CVE-2017-5689, and ensure that only verified, secure firmware versions are deployed. System administrators should disable unnecessary manageability features when not actively needed, particularly in environments where local administrative access cannot be strictly controlled. The remediation process must include comprehensive inventory management of all affected systems and implementation of network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Additionally, organizations should monitor for signs of compromise and implement robust logging and monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized firmware modifications. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining strict control over firmware update processes and demonstrates how seemingly legitimate administrative functions can be weaponized to introduce security weaknesses into enterprise environments.