CVE-2018-3703 in SSD Data Center Tool
Summary
by MITRE
Improper directory permissions in the installer for the Intel(R) SSD Data Center Tool for Windows before v3.0.17 may allow authenticated users to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3703 represents a critical security flaw in the Intel SSD Data Center Tool for Windows installer prior to version 3.0.17. This issue stems from improper directory permissions that are established during the installation process, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The flaw specifically affects authenticated users who possess local access to systems running the vulnerable software, making it particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users may have varying levels of system access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the installer's failure to properly configure directory permissions for the installation directory and associated components. When the Intel SSD Data Center Tool is installed, certain directories are created with overly permissive access controls that allow authenticated users to modify or execute files within these locations. This misconfiguration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement, as the installer does not adequately restrict write permissions to directories that should remain protected from unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-732, which specifically addresses inadequate permissions on critical resources, making it a direct violation of secure coding practices and access control mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated users to potentially escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrative privileges. Attackers who can authenticate locally to a system running the vulnerable software can exploit this weakness to gain elevated access rights, potentially allowing them to install malicious software, modify system configurations, or access sensitive data. The local access requirement means that the attack vector is limited to systems where the attacker already has some level of authentication, but this still represents a significant security risk as it can be exploited by insiders or through compromised user accounts. The vulnerability affects the broader Windows ecosystem and could be leveraged as part of multi-stage attack campaigns, particularly when combined with other local privilege escalation techniques.
The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as this vulnerability aligns with several tactics and techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Specifically, it relates to privilege escalation techniques under the T1068 category, where adversaries exploit weaknesses in software installation processes to gain elevated system privileges. The vulnerability also intersects with defense evasion tactics, as the modified installation directories could be used to establish persistence mechanisms or hide malicious activities. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where multiple users have local access to systems. The impact is particularly severe in data center environments where the Intel SSD Data Center Tool is commonly deployed, as these systems often handle critical infrastructure components and sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3703 require immediate action to upgrade to Intel SSD Data Center Tool version 3.0.17 or later, which properly addresses the directory permission issues. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the software and implement mandatory upgrade procedures. System administrators should also review and audit existing directory permissions on systems that have previously installed the vulnerable software, ensuring that proper access controls are restored. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized software in the installation directories, monitoring for suspicious file modifications in critical system locations, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar permission misconfigurations in other software installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure installation practices and proper access control configuration as fundamental security controls that should be enforced across all system components.