CVE-2018-18098 in SGX SDK
Summary
by MITRE
Improper file verification in install routine for Intel(R) SGX SDK and Platform Software for Windows before 2.2.100 may allow an escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18098 represents a critical security flaw in Intel's Software Guard Extensions SDK and Platform Software for Windows environments. This issue stems from inadequate file verification mechanisms during the installation process, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks that can be exploited by local malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.2.100, indicating that Intel recognized and addressed this weakness in their subsequent releases.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the installation routine's failure to properly validate the integrity and authenticity of files being installed on the system. This improper verification process allows attackers with local access to potentially replace or manipulate installation files, leading to unauthorized privilege escalation. The flaw operates at the installation phase where the system should rigorously check file signatures, checksums, and other integrity measures before proceeding with the installation of sensitive components. Without these safeguards, malicious code can be injected into the installation process and executed with elevated privileges.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Intel SGX technology is deployed for secure computing applications. Local attackers who gain access to systems running vulnerable Intel SGX software can leverage this weakness to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative or system-level access. This escalation capability undermines the fundamental security model of Intel SGX, which is designed to provide secure enclaves for sensitive operations. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can compromise the entire security posture of systems relying on SGX for protection, potentially leading to data breaches and unauthorized access to confidential information.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which addresses issues related to inadequate path validation and file handling in installation processes. Additionally, this weakness maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how local access can be leveraged to gain higher system privileges. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to Intel SGX SDK and Platform Software version 2.2.100 or later, as this represents the official patch addressing the improper file verification flaw. Furthermore, implementing additional security controls such as file integrity monitoring, restricted local access permissions, and regular security assessments can help mitigate the risk of exploitation. The incident highlights the critical importance of robust file verification mechanisms in installation processes and underscores the need for continuous security validation of software components, particularly those that handle sensitive system operations and privilege management functions.