CVE-2019-0150 in Ethernet 700 Series Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient access control in firmware Intel(R) Ethernet 700 Series Controllers versions before 7.0 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable a denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0150 affects Intel Ethernet 700 Series Controllers firmware versions prior to 7.0, representing a critical access control flaw that could be exploited by privileged users to disrupt system operations. This issue resides within the firmware layer of network interface controllers, specifically targeting the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern administrative access to controller functions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user privileges during firmware operations, allowing individuals with elevated system permissions to manipulate controller behavior in ways that could lead to service disruption.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the controller's firmware code where access control checks are either absent or insufficiently enforced during critical operational sequences. When a privileged user executes specific administrative commands through the firmware interface, the system fails to properly validate whether the user possesses the necessary authorization levels to perform such actions. This weakness creates an avenue for exploitation where legitimate administrative functions can be misused to trigger denial of service conditions, potentially affecting network connectivity and system availability for authorized users. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of firmware security and network infrastructure reliability, where the boundary between authorized and unauthorized operations becomes blurred.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader network infrastructure stability concerns. A malicious privileged user could potentially leverage this flaw to repeatedly trigger controller resets or disable network functionality, effectively creating persistent denial of service conditions that could affect enterprise networks relying on these controllers. The localized nature of the attack means that exploitation requires local access with elevated privileges, but this access level is often sufficient in enterprise environments where administrative accounts are compromised or where insider threats exist. Network administrators may experience extended downtime as the system attempts to recover from these denial of service conditions, potentially affecting business continuity and service availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0150 should focus on firmware updates to version 7.0 or later, which contain the necessary access control improvements to prevent unauthorized manipulation of controller functions. System administrators must ensure that firmware updates are applied promptly across all affected controllers while maintaining proper access control policies to minimize the risk of privilege escalation. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be implemented to detect anomalous administrative activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a potential pathway for techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege models to limit the scope of administrative access and reduce the attack surface available to potential exploiters.