CVE-2019-11166 in Easy Streaming Wizard
Summary
by MITRE
Improper file permissions in the installer for Intel(R) Easy Streaming Wizard before version 2.1.0731 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11166 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Intel(R) Easy Streaming Wizard installer software. This issue affects versions prior to 2.1.0731 and stems from improper file permissions that are established during the installation process. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-732, which specifically addresses inadequate permissions for critical system resources, making it a direct threat to system integrity and security posture.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs during the installer execution phase where certain files and directories are created with overly permissive access controls. An authenticated user who has the ability to run the installer or access the system post-installation can exploit these weak permissions to manipulate critical system components. The installer's failure to properly set restrictive file permissions creates an attack surface that allows local privilege escalation through unauthorized modification of system files or registry entries.
From an operational perspective this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where Intel Easy Streaming Wizard is deployed. The authenticated user threat model implies that attackers who have already gained user-level access to a system can leverage this weakness to elevate their privileges to administrative or SYSTEM level access. This escalation capability allows attackers to bypass normal access controls, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The local nature of the attack means that network-based defenses alone may not prevent exploitation, requiring additional host-based security measures.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The weakness creates opportunities for attackers to modify system binaries, inject malicious code, or manipulate configuration files that are protected by insufficient access controls. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where the installer runs with elevated privileges or where the installation process does not properly enforce security boundaries. Organizations should consider implementing mandatory access controls, file integrity monitoring, and regular security audits to detect unauthorized modifications to system components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-11166 should include immediate deployment of Intel's patched version 2.1.0731 or later, which properly addresses the file permission issues. System administrators should also conduct thorough inventory checks to identify all instances of the vulnerable software and ensure proper access controls are enforced on existing installations. Additional protective measures include implementing principle of least privilege, regular security scanning for unauthorized file modifications, and maintaining updated security baselines that enforce proper file permissions across all system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation during software installation processes and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of installer components.