CVE-2019-11090 in fTPM
Summary
by MITRE
Cryptographic timing conditions in the subsystem for Intel(R) PTT before versions 11.8.70, 11.11.70, 11.22.70, 12.0.45, 13.0.0 and 14.0.10; Intel(R) TXE 3.1.70 and 4.0.20; Intel(R) SPS before versions SPS_E5_04.01.04.305.0, SPS_SoC-X_04.00.04.108.0, SPS_SoC-A_04.00.04.191.0, SPS_E3_04.01.04.086.0, SPS_E3_04.08.04.047.0 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via network access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11090 represents a critical cryptographic timing condition flaw within Intel's Platform Trust Technology subsystems, affecting multiple generations of Intel firmware components including PTT, TXE, and SPS. This vulnerability stems from improper implementation of cryptographic operations that exhibit timing variations based on the input data being processed, creating predictable patterns that can be exploited by attackers to infer sensitive information through side-channel analysis. The affected versions span across several firmware releases including PTT versions prior to 11.8.70, 11.11.70, 11.22.70, 12.0.45, 13.0.0, and 14.0.10, along with TXE versions 3.1.70 and 4.0.20, and various SPS releases dating back to 2019. The timing variations occur during cryptographic operations such as key validation, authentication processes, or encryption/decryption routines where the time taken to complete operations varies depending on the cryptographic key or data being processed. This characteristic creates a timing attack surface that allows adversaries to measure execution time differences and potentially deduce cryptographic key material or other sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the entire security posture of systems relying on these Intel firmware components for trust and security functions. Attackers exploiting this timing condition can perform sophisticated side-channel analysis to extract cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other confidential data without requiring authentication credentials, making the attack vector particularly dangerous in environments where these subsystems are responsible for hardware-level security functions. The vulnerability affects systems where Intel PTT, TXE, or SPS components are utilized for platform authentication, secure boot processes, or hardware-based encryption services, potentially enabling attackers to bypass security controls that depend on these cryptographic implementations. The attack can be executed over network access, meaning that even systems not directly connected to physical interfaces may be vulnerable if they communicate with affected subsystems or if network-based attacks can be mounted against exposed services.
Security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-327, which addresses weak cryptographic algorithms and implementation flaws that can be exploited through side-channel attacks. The timing variations create a classic timing attack scenario where an attacker can measure response times to infer information about cryptographic operations, potentially leading to full key recovery in some cases. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers may leverage information disclosure to gain additional access vectors or elevate privileges within compromised systems. Organizations utilizing affected Intel firmware components face significant risk as this vulnerability can undermine the fundamental security guarantees provided by these hardware-based trust mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to systems or compromise the integrity of security-critical operations. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that many modern security architectures depend on these subsystems for core trust functions, making it a critical target for exploitation in advanced persistent threat campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-11090 primarily involve updating affected firmware components to versions that address the timing condition flaws in Intel PTT, TXE, and SPS subsystems. System administrators should prioritize applying firmware updates from Intel's official channels, ensuring that all affected components are updated to versions that have been verified to contain fixes for the cryptographic timing issues. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual timing patterns or network traffic analysis. Organizations should also conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems utilizing affected firmware components, particularly those involved in security-critical functions such as secure boot, platform authentication, or hardware-based encryption services. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to ensure that all firmware components remain up-to-date with the latest security patches, and incident response procedures should be established to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cryptographic implementation practices and the need for continuous security monitoring to detect and respond to timing-based side-channel attacks that can compromise even well-designed security systems.