CVE-2017-5710 in Server Platform Service
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple privilege escalations in kernel in Intel Trusted Execution Engine Firmware 3.0 allows unauthorized process to access privileged content via unspecified vector.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5710 represents a critical security flaw within the Intel Trusted Execution Engine firmware version 3.0 that enables unauthorized processes to escalate privileges and access protected system resources. This issue resides within the kernel-level components of the Trusted Execution Environment, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass security controls that are specifically designed to isolate sensitive operations from regular system processes. The vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation flaws, which are particularly dangerous as they can allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges that would normally be restricted to trusted system components or administrators.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and insufficient validation mechanisms within the kernel interfaces of the Intel Trusted Execution Engine firmware. The unspecified vector suggests that the flaw exists across multiple attack surfaces within the firmware implementation, potentially affecting various kernel functions that handle trusted operations and privileged system calls. This type of vulnerability typically arises when the firmware fails to properly enforce mandatory access controls or when security boundaries are not adequately maintained between different privilege levels within the execution environment. The flaw can be categorized as a weakness in the kernel's privilege management system, which is a fundamental security control in any operating system architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5710 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire Trusted Execution Environment. This vulnerability allows unauthorized processes to access privileged content that should only be available to trusted system components, potentially exposing sensitive cryptographic keys, secure boot parameters, or other critical system data. The implications are particularly severe in environments where the Trusted Execution Engine is responsible for protecting sensitive operations such as secure key storage, trusted boot processes, or hardware-based encryption functions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to undermine the fundamental security guarantees that the Intel Trusted Execution Engine is designed to provide, effectively rendering the security protections ineffective.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Intel to address the privilege escalation flaws within the Trusted Execution Engine firmware version 3.0. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and privilege escalation activities within their systems that utilize Intel Trusted Execution Technology. The remediation process must include verification that the updated firmware properly enforces access controls and maintains the security boundaries between privileged and unprivileged execution contexts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and may also relate to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting privileges to escalate access. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as integrity monitoring, access control enforcement, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and the need for continuous security validation of trusted execution environments.