CVE-2020-0523 in Ethernet I210 Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2021
Improper access control in the firmware for the Intel(R) Ethernet I210 Controller series of network adapters before version 3.30 may potentially allow a privileged user to enable a denial of service via local access.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0523 represents a critical weakness in the firmware implementation of Intel's Ethernet I210 Controller series network adapters. This flaw resides in the access control mechanisms that govern how system privileges are managed and enforced within the device's firmware layer. The vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions prior to 3.30, indicating that Intel had not yet addressed this security gap in their product lifecycle. The nature of the flaw suggests that the firmware lacks proper validation of user privileges, creating an avenue for exploitation that could be leveraged by malicious actors with local access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege validation within the firmware's access control framework. When a user with elevated privileges attempts to manipulate the network adapter's operational parameters, the firmware fails to properly verify whether the requested actions are authorized for the executing user context. This misconfiguration creates a potential attack vector where a privileged user could exploit the firmware's weak access controls to trigger denial of service conditions. The vulnerability operates at the firmware level, meaning it exists below the operating system's normal security boundaries, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate through conventional software-based security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it represents a potential escalation path for attackers who already possess local administrative privileges. A malicious actor with local access could leverage this flaw to systematically disrupt network connectivity for the affected system, potentially causing broader service interruptions if the compromised device serves as a network gateway or critical infrastructure component. The denial of service condition could manifest through various mechanisms including network interface resets, configuration parameter corruption, or resource exhaustion within the network adapter's firmware environment. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where network reliability is paramount, as it could be exploited to create persistent service disruptions that are difficult to trace back to the firmware-level root cause.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0523 primarily focus on firmware updates and access control hardening measures. Organizations should immediately deploy firmware version 3.30 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the access control weakness. Additionally, implementing strict access control policies for local system administration can help reduce the attack surface by limiting the number of users with elevated privileges who could potentially exploit this vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual network behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting local system permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates how firmware-level security gaps can create persistent risks that require coordinated remediation efforts across hardware and software components, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive security assessments that include firmware integrity verification as part of enterprise security frameworks.