CVE-2019-0185 in Core Processor
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient access control in protected memory subsystem for SMM for 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) Processor families; Intel(R) Xeon(R) Processor E3-1500 v5 and v6 families; Intel(R) Xeon(R) E-2100 and E-2200 Processor families with Intel(R) Processor Graphics may allow a privileged user to potentially enable information disclosure via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2024
This vulnerability resides within the System Management Mode memory subsystem of Intel processors, specifically affecting sixth through ninth generation Core processors along with Xeon E3-1500 v5 and v6 families and E-2100 and E-2200 processor families equipped with Intel Graphics. The flaw represents a critical access control weakness that allows a privileged user to potentially disclose sensitive information through local access channels. The vulnerability stems from insufficient protection mechanisms within the memory subsystem that governs System Management Mode operations, which operate at the highest privilege level in the processor architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a weakness in the memory management unit's protection mechanisms that control access to sensitive memory regions during System Management Mode execution. When a privileged user executes malicious code, the insufficient access control allows for unauthorized memory access patterns that bypass normal privilege checks. This creates a pathway for information disclosure attacks where sensitive data can be extracted from protected memory areas that should only be accessible to the operating system or hypervisor. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 which addresses inadequate access control mechanisms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.003 for command and scripting interpreter usage in privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the processor's security architecture that could enable more sophisticated attacks. A privileged user with local access can exploit this weakness to potentially extract cryptographic keys, system credentials, or other sensitive data stored in protected memory regions. The vulnerability affects the core memory protection mechanisms that are critical for maintaining system integrity and confidentiality. Attackers could leverage this weakness to bypass security controls that depend on proper memory isolation, potentially leading to full system compromise. The affected processor families represent a significant portion of enterprise and consumer hardware, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for widespread impact.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves applying firmware updates from Intel that address the access control weakness in the SMM memory subsystem. Additionally, implementing microcode updates that strengthen memory protection mechanisms provides essential protection against exploitation. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary SMM features when possible and implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous memory access patterns. System hardening measures including restricting local user privileges and implementing strict access controls for system management functions help reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and endpoint detection and response solutions can provide additional layers of protection against potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and security patches as a critical component of enterprise security posture management.