CVE-2019-0163 in Broadwell U i5 vPro
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient input validation in system firmware for Intel(R) Broadwell U i5 vPro before version MYBDWi5v.86A may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege, denial of service, and/or information disclosure via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0163 represents a critical flaw in the system firmware of Intel(R) Broadwell U i5 vPro processors, specifically affecting versions prior to MYBDWi5v.86A. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the firmware layer, creating a pathway for authenticated users to exploit the system's security controls. The vulnerability resides at the firmware level, which operates with elevated privileges and direct hardware access, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional operating system security measures. The affected processors are commonly found in business laptops and desktop systems, where the vPro feature provides remote management capabilities, adding another layer of complexity to the potential attack surface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for privilege escalation through malformed inputs that are not properly validated within the firmware's processing routines. When an authenticated user accesses the system locally, they can manipulate firmware parameters or input streams that should be restricted or validated before processing. This flaw typically manifests as a failure in input sanitization where the firmware does not adequately verify the integrity, format, or content of data it receives during normal operation or configuration processes. The lack of proper validation creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads or manipulate system behavior through carefully crafted inputs that exploit the firmware's trust in incoming data.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-0163 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass denial of service conditions and information disclosure capabilities. An attacker with local access can potentially cause system instability or complete system failure by exploiting the firmware validation gaps, leading to denial of service scenarios that could affect business operations. Additionally, the vulnerability enables information disclosure where sensitive system data, configuration parameters, or potentially confidential information could be accessed through the compromised firmware interfaces. This vulnerability affects Intel's management engine architecture, which provides persistent access to system resources and can maintain control even when the operating system is rebooted or reinstalled, making the impact particularly severe in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on firmware updates from Intel, with the specific version MYBDWi5v.86A representing the patched release that addresses the input validation deficiencies. System administrators should prioritize updating firmware to the latest available versions while ensuring proper testing protocols are followed to prevent compatibility issues. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials to gain system access. Organizations should implement comprehensive firmware inventory management to track affected systems and establish regular update schedules. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit local access privileges, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous firmware behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of supply chain security and the need for robust firmware integrity verification mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical system components.