CVE-2017-5712 in Manageability Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Active Management Technology (AMT) in Intel Manageability Engine Firmware 8.x/9.x/10.x/11.0/11.5/11.6/11.7/11.10/11.20 allows attacker with remote Admin access to the system to execute arbitrary code with AMT execution privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5712 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Intel's Active Management Technology framework, specifically affecting Manageability Engine firmware versions 8.x through 11.20. This vulnerability exists within the Intel Manageability Engine firmware, which operates as a separate computing environment embedded within Intel processors, providing out-of-band management capabilities regardless of the host system's operational state. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation within the AMT implementation, creating a condition where malicious data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the privileged AMT execution context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to already possess administrative credentials for the target system, as the attack vector operates through the AMT administrative interface rather than directly over the network. The buffer overflow occurs when processing specially crafted data within the AMT firmware, allowing an authenticated attacker to overwrite memory regions that control program execution flow. This flaw maps directly to CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability demonstrates the dangerous intersection of firmware-level privilege escalation and remote code execution capabilities, as the Manageability Engine operates with elevated privileges separate from the main operating system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5712 extends far beyond typical software vulnerabilities due to the persistent nature of the Manageability Engine and its network accessibility. Since AMT functionality remains active even when the host system is powered off or has no operating system, an attacker who gains administrative access can execute malicious code that persists across system reboots and operating system changes. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers execution through command and scripting interpreter, particularly when the compromised engine provides a persistent command execution environment. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Intel-based systems including desktops, laptops, servers, and embedded devices, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where such systems are prevalent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5712 must address both the immediate vulnerability and the broader security posture of affected systems. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling the Active Management Technology functionality when not required, though this may impact remote management capabilities. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate systems with AMT enabled from critical network segments, reducing the attack surface. Additionally, regular firmware updates from Intel are essential, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent firmware releases. The mitigation approach should also incorporate monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to AMT administrative interfaces, as specified in security best practices for managing embedded system vulnerabilities. Security teams should consider implementing privileged access management solutions to limit the scope of administrative credentials and reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of firmware security and the need for comprehensive vulnerability management strategies that extend beyond traditional operating system security controls.