CVE-2020-24495 in 700-Series of Ethernet Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2021
Insufficient access control in the firmware for the Intel(R) 700-series of Ethernet Controllers before version 7.3 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable 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-2020-24495 represents a critical access control weakness within the firmware of Intel's 700-series Ethernet controllers. This flaw affects devices prior to firmware version 7.3 and stems from inadequate privilege validation mechanisms that govern access to critical system functions. The vulnerability specifically targets the firmware layer that manages network interface operations, creating a pathway for authenticated users to potentially disrupt system availability through local access methods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient validation of user privileges within the firmware's access control framework. When a privileged user executes specific commands or accesses particular firmware registers, the system fails to properly verify the user's authorization level before granting access to sensitive operational parameters. This weakness operates at the firmware level, meaning it exists below the operating system layer where traditional access control mechanisms might otherwise prevent such unauthorized actions. The flaw allows for manipulation of network controller behavior in ways that could lead to service disruption or complete system unavailability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for systems relying on Intel 700-series Ethernet controllers, particularly in enterprise environments where network availability is paramount. A malicious privileged user with local access could exploit this weakness to initiate denial of service conditions that would impact network connectivity for the affected system. The impact extends beyond simple network interruption as the vulnerability could potentially be leveraged to compromise the integrity of network communications or serve as a stepping stone for further exploitation. The local access requirement means that physical or network access to the target system is necessary for exploitation, but this limitation does not mitigate the overall risk.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique when it enables an attacker to gain elevated system privileges, and potentially as a denial of service method when it disrupts system availability. Organizations should prioritize updating firmware to version 7.3 or later to address this weakness, while also implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit local system access. The vulnerability underscores the importance of firmware security and the need for comprehensive security testing at all levels of system architecture, including the often-overlooked firmware layer where such access control failures can have significant operational consequences.