CVE-2017-5707 in Server Platform Service
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in kernel in Intel Trusted Execution Engine Firmware 3.0 allow attacker with local access to the system to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5707 represents a critical security flaw within the Intel Trusted Execution Engine firmware version 3.0 that resides in the kernel space of affected systems. This vulnerability manifests through multiple buffer overflow conditions that occur during the processing of specific firmware operations, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. The flaw specifically impacts systems utilizing Intel's Trusted Execution Technology framework, which is designed to provide secure processing environments for sensitive operations including cryptographic key storage and secure boot processes. The buffer overflows occur when the firmware fails to properly validate input data lengths before copying them into fixed-size memory buffers, a classic software security weakness that has been catalogued under CWE-121 as "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and CWE-122 as "Heap-based Buffer Overflow" within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security assurances that Intel's Trusted Execution Engine is designed to provide. Attackers with local access to a system can exploit these buffer overflows to gain elevated privileges and execute malicious code within the kernel context, potentially bypassing hardware-level security protections that are supposed to isolate sensitive operations. The Trusted Execution Engine firmware operates at the most privileged level of system security, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can undermine the entire security architecture. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1547.001 which covers "Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder" as attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through kernel-level modifications.
Systems affected by CVE-2017-5707 typically include those implementing Intel's Trusted Execution Technology with firmware version 3.0 or earlier, particularly enterprise servers, workstations, and embedded systems that rely on Intel's hardware security features for protecting sensitive data and cryptographic operations. The vulnerability is especially concerning in environments where secure boot processes and hardware-based encryption are critical components of the overall security posture. Organizations using Intel processors with integrated Trusted Execution Engine capabilities should immediately assess their firmware versions and implement mitigation strategies. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local system access, which means that while the attack vector is relatively accessible, it does not represent a remote exploit that could be leveraged from outside the network perimeter. However, the potential for lateral movement and privilege escalation within a compromised system makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where local access might be obtained through social engineering or other initial compromise techniques.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5707 include immediate firmware updates from Intel to version 3.1 or later, which contain patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as monitoring for unusual kernel-level activity, ensuring proper access controls to prevent unauthorized local access, and maintaining regular security assessments of systems utilizing Intel's Trusted Execution Technology. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of firmware security and the need for continuous monitoring of hardware security components, as these low-level system components often receive less attention in traditional vulnerability management processes. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit local access privileges, as well as maintaining detailed system baselines to quickly detect any anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability underscores the necessity of treating firmware security as an integral part of overall cybersecurity strategy, particularly in environments where hardware-based security features are relied upon for protecting sensitive information and maintaining system integrity.