CVE-2018-3697 in Media Server Studio
Summary
by MITRE
Improper directory permissions in the installer for the Intel Media Server Studio may allow unprivileged users to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3697 resides within the Intel Media Server Studio installer implementation, specifically manifesting as improper directory permissions that create a privilege escalation vector. This issue affects the installation process of Intel's media server software suite, which is commonly deployed in enterprise environments for video processing and streaming applications. The flaw stems from inadequate access control mechanisms during the installation phase, where directory permissions are not properly configured to restrict unauthorized access to critical system resources. Attackers with local access to a system running the affected Intel Media Server Studio installation can exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which describes improper permission assignment for critical system resources. During the installation process, the Intel Media Server Studio installer creates directories and files with overly permissive access controls that allow unprivileged user accounts to modify or execute components that should only be accessible to administrators or system processes. This misconfiguration typically involves setting directory permissions to world-writable or group-writable modes, enabling local attackers to manipulate installation artifacts, replace binaries, or inject malicious code into the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the installer's handling of temporary directories, configuration files, or installation staging areas where sensitive components are stored during the setup process.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3697 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the system that can be leveraged for further attacks. Once an unprivileged user gains elevated privileges through this vulnerability, they can access sensitive system information, modify critical files, or establish backdoors that persist across system reboots. This weakness is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Intel Media Server Studio might be deployed on servers handling multimedia content, video conferencing systems, or digital signage platforms. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including local login access, physical access to systems, or through other initial compromise vectors that provide the attacker with a low-privilege shell. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under T1068, where adversaries leverage weaknesses in system permissions to gain higher-level access rights.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3697 should focus on immediate remediation through proper permission configuration and system hardening. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of Intel Media Server Studio that addresses this vulnerability, as Intel has released patches to correct the improper directory permissions. System administrators should conduct thorough permission audits of installation directories, ensuring that only authorized users and processes have write access to critical system components. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by setting restrictive permissions on installation directories and ensuring that temporary files are properly cleaned up after installation. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to installation directories and establish regular security assessments to identify similar permission misconfigurations across their infrastructure. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit local access points and reduce the attack surface for exploitation of such vulnerabilities.