CVE-2020-8669 in Data Center Manager Console
Summary
by MITRE • 11/13/2020
Improper input validation in the Intel(R) Data Center Manager Console before version 3.6.2 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via network access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-8669 resides within the Intel(R) Data Center Manager Console software ecosystem, specifically targeting the input validation mechanisms implemented in versions prior to 3.6.2. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that could potentially be exploited by authenticated adversaries to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability manifests through inadequate validation of user-supplied input data, creating a pathway for malicious actors who have already established authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and extract confidential data from the system. The affected component operates within enterprise data center environments where centralized management and monitoring capabilities are essential for operational efficiency.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and validation of input parameters within the console's network-facing interfaces. When authenticated users submit data through various input fields, the system fails to properly validate the format, length, or content of this data before processing. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads or manipulate input parameters to bypass intended access controls. The flaw aligns with CWE-20, which categorizes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design that can lead to various security issues including information disclosure, privilege escalation, and data corruption. The vulnerability specifically affects the console's handling of network-based inputs, making it particularly dangerous in environments where remote access is permitted.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-8669 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a potential gateway for more severe attacks within data center environments. An authenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive operational data, configuration files, system logs, and potentially other users' credentials stored within the console's memory or database. The implications are particularly concerning in enterprise settings where the Intel Data Center Manager Console serves as a central hub for managing multiple servers, storage systems, and network infrastructure components. This vulnerability could enable attackers to gain insights into the organization's infrastructure topology, operational procedures, and security configurations, which could then be used to plan more sophisticated attacks. The attack vector requires network access and existing authentication credentials, making it less likely to be exploited by casual attackers but still poses significant risk to organizations with compromised accounts or insider threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-8669 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 3.6.2 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit the blast radius of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the console and its associated systems. The implementation of comprehensive monitoring and logging mechanisms can help detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their data center management infrastructure, including vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in related systems. The remediation process should also include user education and awareness training to prevent social engineering attacks that might lead to credential compromise. Security teams should consider implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users have only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their duties, thereby reducing the potential impact of authenticated attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the need for robust input validation mechanisms in enterprise management systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1078 for valid accounts and T1005 for data from local system, highlighting the multi-stage nature of exploitation that can occur when such flaws exist in enterprise management platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious network traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts.