CVE-2018-3638 in Remote Keyboard
Summary
by MITRE
Escalation of privilege in all versions of the Intel Remote Keyboard allows an authorized local attacker to execute arbitrary code as a privileged user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3638 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Intel's Remote Keyboard implementation across all affected versions. This security weakness specifically targets the Intel Remote Keyboard service that enables remote keyboard functionality for system administration purposes. The vulnerability exists in the way the service handles authentication and authorization processes when processing local connections, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors with local access to elevate their privileges to that of a privileged user.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access control mechanisms within the Intel Remote Keyboard service implementation. When a local attacker establishes a connection to the service, the system fails to properly validate the authentication context and authorization levels associated with the connecting user. This inadequate validation allows the attacker to manipulate the service's behavior and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control, where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions. The flaw essentially creates a pathway for privilege escalation that bypasses normal system security controls and user authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables a local attacker to gain elevated system privileges without requiring additional authentication credentials or complex exploitation techniques. Once an attacker gains local access to a system running the vulnerable Intel Remote Keyboard service, they can execute arbitrary code with administrative privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability affects any system where the Intel Remote Keyboard service is installed and running, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such services may be deployed for remote management purposes. The attack vector requires only local access, which means that even systems with strong network security measures can be compromised if local access is obtained.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3638 should focus on immediate service disabling or removal of the vulnerable Intel Remote Keyboard functionality from affected systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems are updated with the latest Intel security patches that address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit local access privileges, and system monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized local connection attempts to the affected service. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable service and ensure proper privilege separation is maintained. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how local privilege escalation techniques can be leveraged to achieve unauthorized administrative access to systems.