CVE-2018-3649 in Dual Band Wireless-AC
Summary
by MITRE
DLL injection vulnerability in the installation executables (Autorun.exe and Setup.exe) for Intel's wireless drivers and related software in Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC, Tri-Band Wireless-AC and Wireless-AC family of products allows a local attacker to cause escalation of privilege via remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2020
The CVE-2018-3649 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Intel's wireless driver installation process affecting multiple product lines including the Dual Band Wireless-AC, Tri-Band Wireless-AC, and Wireless-AC families. This vulnerability manifests as a DLL injection weakness within the installation executables Autorun.exe and Setup.exe, which are responsible for deploying and configuring Intel wireless network adapters. The flaw enables local attackers to escalate privileges through remote code execution, creating a significant security risk for systems running affected Intel wireless drivers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of dynamic link library loading during the installation process. When the installation executables execute, they fail to properly validate or restrict the loading of external DLL files, allowing an attacker to inject malicious code through the installation flow. This weakness specifically aligns with CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, where the system searches for libraries in insecure locations or fails to properly verify library authenticity. The vulnerability exists because the installation process does not implement proper DLL binding or validation mechanisms that would prevent loading of unauthorized code modules.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to enterprise and individual security postures. Local attackers who can execute code on a target system can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to install malicious software, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access. The remote code execution capability means that an attacker could exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where wireless devices are frequently used. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within a network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3649 should focus on immediate patching of affected Intel wireless driver installations, as the vendor has released security updates to address this vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor installation processes for unauthorized DLL loading activities. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting user permissions during driver installation procedures. Additionally, security professionals should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of unauthorized code during the installation process, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1064 Create or Modify System Process. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other installation processes and ensure proper security hardening of system components.