CVE-2018-3627 in Converged Security Management Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Logic bug in Intel Converged Security Management Engine 11.x may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code via local privileged access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3627 represents a critical logic flaw within Intel's Converged Security Management Engine version 11.x, which operates as a separate microcontroller system integrated into Intel processors. This security engine functions as a dedicated subsystem responsible for managing security features including firmware updates, secure boot processes, and hardware-level authentication mechanisms. The flaw stems from improper validation of privilege levels during specific operational sequences, creating a condition where local attackers with elevated privileges can exploit the system's trust model to execute unauthorized code within the security engine's operational environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the management engine's privilege escalation handling mechanisms, where insufficient validation occurs when processing certain commands or data flows. This logic error creates a pathway for malicious code execution that bypasses normal security boundaries between the host operating system and the embedded security subsystem. The flaw specifically affects the engine's handling of authenticated local access requests, where the system fails to properly verify the legitimacy of privilege elevation requests. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 which addresses improper access control and represents a significant weakness in the security engine's access validation procedures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems utilizing Intel processors with the affected security engine version 11.x, particularly in enterprise environments where privileged local access is common. Attackers who can establish a local foothold on a system with elevated privileges can leverage this flaw to escalate their access further into the security engine's operational domain. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as the security engine controls critical hardware security features, potentially allowing attackers to bypass secure boot processes, modify firmware, or manipulate hardware-level security configurations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and represents a sophisticated attack vector that requires minimal additional resources beyond initial local access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3627 primarily focus on updating the security engine firmware to patched versions released by Intel, which address the specific privilege validation logic flaw. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected systems, particularly those running Intel processors with the vulnerable security engine version 11.x. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit local privileged access where possible. System administrators should monitor for suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around security engine access logs and privilege escalation events. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining updated firmware for embedded subsystems and highlights the need for comprehensive security assessments of all processor-based security components. Given the nature of the flaw, regular vulnerability scanning and monitoring of the security engine's operational status remains crucial for early detection of potential exploitation attempts.