CVE-2018-3655 in CSME
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in a subsystem in Intel CSME before version 11.21.55, Intel Server Platform Services before version 4.0 and Intel Trusted Execution Engine Firmware before version 3.1.55 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially modify or disclose information via physical access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3655 resides within Intel's Converged Security and Management Engine subsystem, a critical component embedded within Intel processors that operates independently of the main operating system. This vulnerability affects multiple Intel subsystems including the Client Subsystem Management Engine, Server Platform Services, and Trusted Execution Engine Firmware, creating a broad attack surface that extends across various Intel hardware platforms. The flaw specifically impacts versions prior to 11.21.55 for CSME, 4.0 for Server Platform Services, and 3.1.55 for Trusted Execution Engine Firmware, indicating a widespread issue that required significant remediation efforts across Intel's product portfolio.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the management engine subsystem, allowing an attacker with physical access to potentially modify or disclose sensitive information without requiring authentication credentials. This represents a fundamental flaw in Intel's security architecture where the management engine, which is designed to provide secure system management functions, fails to properly validate access requests. The vulnerability operates at a low level within the hardware architecture, leveraging the privileged execution environment of the management engine to bypass traditional operating system security controls. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to improper access control mechanisms within system-level components.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3655 is particularly concerning given that it requires only physical access to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who can physically interact with affected systems. This physical access requirement means that the vulnerability can be exploited in scenarios such as device theft, unauthorized maintenance access, or compromised physical environments where attackers have direct access to hardware. The potential for information disclosure and modification creates significant risks for organizations relying on Intel hardware, as attackers could potentially extract sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors within the management engine environment. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1547.001 for Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers could leverage the compromised management engine to establish persistence or deliver malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3655 primarily focus on updating affected systems to the patched versions of Intel's management engine firmware and related subsystems. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Intel CSME, Server Platform Services, and Trusted Execution Engine Firmware components to their respective patched versions. Additionally, implementing physical security measures such as secure device storage, access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized physical access can help reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and monitoring for anomalous management engine activity should also be considered as part of a comprehensive defense-in-depth strategy. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of firmware security and highlights the need for organizations to maintain up-to-date firmware across all system components, particularly those operating at the hardware level where traditional software-based security controls may be insufficient.