CVE-2019-0106 in Data Center Manager SDK
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient run protection in install routine for Intel(R) Data Center Manager SDK before version 5.0.2 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0106 resides within the installation routine of Intel(R) Data Center Manager SDK versions prior to 5.0.2, representing a critical weakness in the software's privilege management mechanisms. This flaw manifests as insufficient run protection during the installation process, creating an exploitable condition that allows authenticated users with local system access to potentially escalate their privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the installation framework where proper access controls and validation checks are lacking, enabling malicious actors to manipulate the installation sequence and gain elevated system privileges. The issue stems from inadequate enforcement of privilege boundaries during software deployment, which violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control implementation.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability operates by exploiting weaknesses in the installation routine's execution environment where the software fails to properly validate or restrict the execution context of installation components. When a privileged user executes the installation process, the system does not adequately verify the integrity of the installation components or enforce proper privilege separation between different execution phases. This creates an opportunity for malicious code injection or manipulation of installation artifacts that can subsequently be executed with elevated privileges. The flaw essentially allows for a privilege escalation attack vector through legitimate installation procedures, which aligns with CWE-276 principles regarding improper privilege management and inadequate access control. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with privilege escalation techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically focusing on installation process manipulation as an attack surface.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-0106 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire data center management environments. Organizations utilizing Intel Data Center Manager SDK in their infrastructure face significant risk when running vulnerable versions, as the vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who have already gained local access to systems. This scenario commonly occurs through social engineering, compromised credentials, or initial footholds obtained through other attack vectors. Once exploited, the privilege escalation allows attackers to gain administrative control over the data center management systems, potentially enabling them to manipulate monitoring data, alter system configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where data center management systems are critical components of overall infrastructure security and monitoring capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0106 primarily focus on immediate remediation through version updates to Intel Data Center Manager SDK 5.0.2 or later, which contain the necessary security patches addressing the insufficient run protection mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate all instances of the vulnerable software across their infrastructure. Additional protective measures include enhanced monitoring of installation processes, implementation of strict access controls for system administrators, and deployment of privileged access management solutions to limit the scope of potential exploitation. Security teams should also conduct thorough assessments of their data center management environments to identify any other potential attack vectors related to installation routines and privilege management. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper installation security controls and demonstrates how seemingly routine administrative procedures can create significant security exposure points when inadequate protection mechanisms are in place. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and enhanced endpoint protection to prevent unauthorized modifications to installation components during the software deployment process.