CVE-2018-3700 in USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Driver
Summary
by MITRE
Code injection vulnerability in the installer for Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Driver for Microsoft Windows 7 before version 5.0.4.43v2 may allow a user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The CVE-2018-3700 vulnerability represents a critical code injection flaw within the Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Driver installer for Windows 7 systems. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 5.0.4.43v2 and specifically targets the installation process of the driver component that manages USB 3.0 host controller functionality. The flaw allows a local attacker with user-level privileges to potentially escalate their access rights to system-level privileges through malicious code injection during the driver installation process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the trust model inherent in legitimate driver installation procedures, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the installer's code execution pathways. When a user executes the installer, the malicious code can be injected into the installation process through improper handling of command-line arguments or installation parameters. This code injection occurs during the driver installation phase, where the installer fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied inputs that are subsequently executed within the system context. The flaw aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a classic example of how installer components can become attack vectors for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability specifically relates to the Windows Installer architecture and how it processes installation packages, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where administrative privileges may be granted through legitimate installation procedures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations deploying Intel USB 3.0 drivers on Windows 7 systems. The local privilege escalation capability means that any user with access to the system can potentially gain administrative rights, which could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious installation packages or by manipulating existing installation files to inject malicious code that executes with elevated privileges. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable lateral movement within networks, as compromised systems could serve as launch points for broader attacks. This vulnerability also affects the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how seemingly benign installation processes can become critical attack vectors for privilege escalation, as documented in various ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation through legitimate system tools.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory driver updates to version 5.0.4.43v2 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the code injection vulnerability. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all affected systems running vulnerable versions of the Intel USB 3.0 driver installer. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized installation packages and monitoring for suspicious installation activities. Network segmentation and privilege management controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current driver versions and implementing robust patch management processes, as it demonstrates how outdated system components can create persistent security risks. Regular security assessments should include verification of driver installation processes and validation of proper input handling mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other system components.