CVE-2020-12306 in RealSense D400 Series Dynamic Calibration Tool
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2020
Incorrect default permissions in the Intel(R) RealSense(TM) D400 Series Dynamic Calibration Tool before version 2.11, may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-12306 affects the Intel RealSense D400 Series Dynamic Calibration Tool, specifically impacting versions prior to 2.11. This issue represents a critical security flaw that stems from improper default permissions configuration within the calibration tool's architecture. The vulnerability manifests when an authenticated user with local access to a system running the affected software can exploit these weak permissions to escalate privileges. The flaw lies in the tool's default security posture, where it fails to implement appropriate access controls and privilege separation mechanisms that would normally prevent unauthorized elevation of privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and represents a classic privilege escalation vector through local access. The Dynamic Calibration Tool, designed for sensor calibration and configuration in Intel RealSense cameras, contains default file permissions that are overly permissive for critical system components. When an authenticated user gains local access to a system with the vulnerable tool installed, they can potentially manipulate these incorrectly configured permissions to execute elevated operations. This weakness exists at the system-level access control implementation where the tool does not properly enforce the principle of least privilege, allowing local users to access resources that should be restricted to administrative or system-level processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent security risk for systems utilizing Intel RealSense cameras in enterprise or industrial environments. Organizations deploying these cameras for computer vision applications, automated manufacturing processes, or security monitoring systems face potential compromise when the calibration tool runs with inadequate permission controls. The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious insiders or attackers who have already gained local access to a system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This scenario is particularly concerning in environments where the RealSense cameras are integrated into critical infrastructure or security systems, as the privilege escalation could enable attackers to modify camera configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-12306 require immediate action to upgrade to Intel RealSense SDK version 2.11 or later, which includes corrected permission settings in the Dynamic Calibration Tool. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as mandatory access controls, privilege separation mechanisms, and regular security audits of installed software components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper permission modeling in security-critical applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local system exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and least privilege access controls to minimize the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to system resources that may otherwise be protected by network-level controls.