CVE-2018-12160 in Data Center Migration Center Software
Summary
by MITRE
DLL injection vulnerability in software installer for Intel Data Center Migration Center Software v3.1 and before may allow an authenticated user to potentially execute code using default directory permissions via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2020
The CVE-2018-12160 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Intel Data Center Migration Center Software version 3.1 and earlier installations. This vulnerability manifests as a dynamic link library injection weakness within the software installation process, creating a pathway for authenticated users to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The issue stems from inadequate directory permission controls during the installation phase, allowing malicious actors with local access to manipulate the installation environment and inject malicious code into the target system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the default directory permissions configured during the Intel Data Center Migration Center installation process. When the installer runs with elevated privileges, it creates installation directories with overly permissive access controls that do not adequately restrict write access to authenticated users. This misconfiguration enables an authenticated user to place malicious DLL files in directories that the installer or subsequent processes may load and execute. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the installer's default behavior does not properly enforce security boundaries between different user access levels, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit through local system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it allows for persistent code execution within the target environment. An authenticated user with local access can leverage this weakness to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the installation process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only local access and authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local system access is not properly restricted. This weakness can be especially problematic in enterprise environments where multiple users have local access to systems running vulnerable software versions, as it provides a low-effort path to code execution that can be used for data exfiltration, lateral movement, or establishment of persistent backdoors.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper file permissions, and represents a classic example of inadequate privilege separation in installation processes. The attack pattern follows elements of the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting installation and execution paths that allow for code injection. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Intel software updates, reviewing and tightening directory permissions on installation directories, and ensuring that installation processes run with minimal required privileges. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of all installed software to identify other potential instances of similar permission misconfigurations and consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure installation practices and proper privilege management in enterprise security architectures.