CVE-2018-12190 in CSME
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient input validation in Intel CSME subsystem before versions 11.8.60, 11.11.60, 11.22.60 or 12.0.20 or Intel TXE before 3.1.60 or 4.0.10 may allow privileged user to potentially execute arbitrary code via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12190 represents a critical security flaw within Intel's Converged Security and Management Engine (CSME) subsystem and Trusted Execution Engine (TXE) components. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that exist within the firmware layers of Intel processors, specifically affecting versions prior to the mentioned security patches. The flaw resides in the privileged execution environment where the subsystem processes incoming commands and data without sufficient sanitization checks, creating an exploitable condition that could be leveraged by malicious actors with local access privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the failure to properly validate input parameters within the firmware interfaces of the CSME and TXE modules. These subsystems operate at a privileged level below the operating system, handling critical security functions including hardware security policies, cryptographic operations, and system monitoring. When malformed or unexpected input is processed without adequate validation, it creates opportunities for code injection attacks that can potentially escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code within the secure execution environment. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20, which represents "Improper Input Validation," a fundamental weakness that enables various attack vectors including buffer overflows, injection attacks, and privilege escalation exploits.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system security as it allows local attackers with legitimate access to potentially gain elevated privileges and execute malicious code within the protected firmware environment. The attack vector requires local access to the system, meaning an adversary must already have some level of system presence, but once exploited, the impact can be severe as it operates below the traditional operating system security boundaries. This characteristic makes detection particularly challenging since the malicious activity occurs within the firmware layer where standard security monitoring tools may not have visibility. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Intel processor-based systems including desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile devices, making it a widespread concern across multiple computing environments.
The security implications extend beyond simple code execution as this vulnerability can potentially enable attackers to bypass hardware-level security protections, manipulate system firmware, and establish persistent backdoors within the secure execution environment. The affected versions represent multiple generations of Intel's security subsystems, indicating that the flaw has been present for an extended period and could have been exploited by sophisticated adversaries who maintain long-term access to target systems. Organizations should prioritize patching efforts to address this vulnerability, as the remediation involves updating firmware components that may require specific procedures and could potentially impact system stability during the update process. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" when exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors, demonstrating how firmware-level weaknesses can enable broader exploitation strategies within enterprise environments.