CVE-2020-24500 in E810 Ethernet Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2021
Buffer overflow in the firmware for Intel(R) E810 Ethernet Controllers before version 1.4.1.13 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable a denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-24500 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the firmware of Intel(R) E810 Ethernet Controllers, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.4.1.13. This issue resides in the firmware layer of network hardware components that are widely deployed in enterprise data centers and high-performance computing environments. The flaw manifests as an insufficient bounds checking mechanism that fails to properly validate input data lengths during firmware processing operations. Such buffer overflow conditions typically occur when a program writes more data to a fixed-length buffer than it can accommodate, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices within the firmware codebase of these network controllers. When legitimate firmware operations process incoming data packets or configuration parameters, the absence of proper input validation allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. This particular flaw is classified as a CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient space is allocated for data processing operations. The buffer overflow occurs at the firmware level rather than at the application layer, making it particularly challenging to detect and remediate as it operates below the operating system abstraction layer where traditional security controls may not effectively monitor or restrict behavior.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations utilizing Intel E810 controllers in their network infrastructure. The requirement for privileged access to exploit this flaw means that attackers must first gain local administrative privileges on systems containing these network controllers, typically through legitimate administrative access or through successful exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the same system. However, once achieved, the impact can manifest as a denial of service condition that disrupts network connectivity and potentially impacts business-critical applications that depend on uninterrupted network services. The attack surface is particularly concerning in data center environments where these controllers are deployed at scale, as a single compromised controller could potentially affect multiple network connections and services.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of privilege escalation and denial of service. Specifically, the flaw can be categorized under T1068, which involves the exploitation of local privilege escalation opportunities to gain elevated system access. The potential for persistent denial of service impacts means that organizations may experience extended periods of network disruption requiring hardware-level intervention and firmware updates. Network administrators should consider implementing comprehensive monitoring protocols to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on system logs that indicate memory corruption events or unexpected firmware behavior. The remediation approach requires immediate firmware updates to version 1.4.1.13 or later, alongside comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems that may be running affected firmware versions.
Organizations should also implement layered security controls that include regular firmware inventory management, automated patch deployment processes, and continuous monitoring of network controller behavior for signs of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of firmware security as a critical component of overall cybersecurity posture, particularly in environments where network infrastructure components serve as foundational elements for business operations. Given the nature of the flaw, regular security assessments of firmware components should be integrated into standard vulnerability management processes, with particular attention to hardware vendors that provide firmware updates for enterprise network equipment. The impact extends beyond immediate service disruption to include potential data integrity concerns and increased operational overhead for system maintenance and security remediation activities.