CVE-2020-0508 in Graphics Drivers
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect default permissions in the installer for Intel(R) Graphics Drivers before versions 15.33.49.5100, 15.36.38.5117, 15.40.44.5107, 15.45.30.5103, and 26.20.100.7212 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0508 represents a critical security flaw in Intel(R) Graphics Drivers that stems from improper default permissions within the installer component. This issue affects multiple versions of Intel graphics drivers across different release branches, specifically those prior to 15.33.49.5100, 15.36.38.5117, 15.40.44.5107, 15.45.30.5103, and 26.20.100.7212. The flaw manifests during the installation process where the installer fails to properly configure file and directory permissions, creating potential security entry points that could be exploited by malicious actors. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access to the system, meaning that any user with legitimate login credentials could potentially leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which describes improper permission assignment, and represents a classic case of inadequate access control implementation. The installer component of the Intel graphics driver package fails to establish appropriate security boundaries when creating files and directories during the installation process. This misconfiguration allows for unintended access permissions that could enable privilege escalation attacks. Attackers could potentially exploit this by manipulating installed components or by creating malicious files that inherit the weak permissions, thereby gaining elevated system privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege during software installation, where the installer does not properly enforce security policies for the files it creates.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Intel graphics drivers are commonly deployed. The authenticated user requirement means that the attack vector is relatively accessible compared to more complex privilege escalation techniques, yet it still requires initial system access. Organizations with multiple users or shared systems face heightened risk since any authenticated user could potentially exploit this weakness. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potential lateral movement within networks where compromised systems could serve as launching points for broader attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects environments with strict security requirements where maintaining proper privilege boundaries is critical for overall security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0508 should prioritize immediate patching of affected driver versions to ensure proper permission settings are applied during installation. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar issues across their software inventory. Security teams should conduct regular permission audits of installed software components to detect and correct improper access controls. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of software vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls and file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized permission changes. Regular security assessments of installation processes and permission settings can help identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threat actors.