CVE-2020-24496 in 722 Ethernet Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2021
Insufficient input validation in the firmware for Intel(R) 722 Ethernet Controllers before version 1.4.3 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-24496 resides within the firmware implementation of Intel(R) 722 Ethernet Controllers, representing a critical weakness in input validation mechanisms that could be exploited to compromise system availability. This flaw specifically affects firmware versions prior to 1.4.3, indicating that Intel has acknowledged and addressed this issue in their subsequent releases. The vulnerability's classification as insufficient input validation directly maps to CWE-20, which encompasses a broad category of security weaknesses related to improper handling of input data that can lead to various malicious outcomes including denial of service conditions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of input parameters within the firmware's processing routines for the Intel 722 Ethernet Controller. When a privileged user accesses the system locally, they can potentially manipulate input data in ways that bypass existing validation checks, thereby allowing them to execute commands or operations that result in system resource exhaustion or operational disruption. This local access requirement suggests that the attack vector is not remotely exploitable but rather relies on an attacker who already possesses elevated privileges within the system environment. The firmware's failure to properly validate incoming data streams or configuration parameters creates an entry point for malicious activities that could lead to sustained denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system availability issues as it represents a potential pathway for attackers with local privileged access to disrupt network connectivity and system services. Network administrators and security professionals must consider that a compromised local account could be leveraged to create persistent denial of service conditions that would require system restarts or firmware reinstallation to resolve. The implications are particularly concerning for enterprise environments where network reliability is paramount, as this vulnerability could be exploited to target mission-critical systems or infrastructure components that depend on stable network connectivity. The local privilege requirement means that this vulnerability is less likely to be exploited by external attackers but remains a significant concern for insider threat scenarios or compromised accounts with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-24496 primarily focus on firmware updates to version 1.4.3 or later, which Intel has provided to address the input validation shortcomings. System administrators should prioritize updating affected devices to ensure that the patched firmware properly validates all input parameters before processing them within the controller's operational environment. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unauthorized local access attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves local privilege escalation and system access, making it important for security teams to monitor for suspicious local activity patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks and maintain regular firmware update schedules to address similar vulnerabilities in other network components.