CVE-2020-8674 in AMT
Summary
by MITRE
Out-of-bounds read in DHCPv6 subsystem in Intel(R) AMT and Intel(R)ISM versions before 11.8.77, 11.12.77, 11.22.77, 12.0.64 and 14.0.33 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via network access.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-8674 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the DHCPv6 subsystem of Intel Active Management Technology and Intel Standard Manageability modules. This issue affects multiple versions of Intel AMT and Intel SM with specific vulnerable releases including versions prior to 11.8.77, 11.12.77, 11.22.77, 12.0.64, and 14.0.33. The vulnerability exists in the handling of DHCPv6 protocol messages and can be exploited by unauthenticated remote attackers who gain network access to the affected systems. This flaw falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, specifically manifesting as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the system processes malformed DHCPv6 packets.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the DHCPv6 processing logic where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to craft malicious DHCPv6 packets that trigger memory access violations. When the affected Intel AMT or Intel SM components receive these malformed packets, they fail to properly validate the length or structure of incoming DHCPv6 options, leading to memory access beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This condition can result in information disclosure as the system may inadvertently expose sensitive data from adjacent memory regions to the attacker. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the network level without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any remote user who can establish network connectivity to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-8674 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within network environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive configuration data, credentials, or system information that could be used for further exploitation. The presence of Intel AMT and Intel SM components in enterprise environments, particularly in servers and managed devices, means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with persistent access to critical infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082 for System Information Discovery and potentially T1566 for Phishing with Malicious Attachment, as attackers could use the disclosed information to craft more targeted attacks. Organizations running affected versions of Intel AMT or Intel SM are at risk of unauthorized information disclosure, which could compromise the security posture of entire network segments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-8674 primarily focus on updating affected systems to patched versions of Intel AMT and Intel SM software. Intel has released security updates addressing this vulnerability in versions 11.8.77, 11.12.77, 11.22.77, 12.0.64, and 14.0.33, which should be deployed immediately across all affected devices. Network-level mitigations include implementing firewall rules to restrict access to Intel AMT and Intel SM ports, particularly UDP ports 623 and 16992, which are commonly used for these management interfaces. Organizations should also consider disabling Intel AMT and Intel SM functionality when not required, as this reduces the attack surface. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous DHCPv6 traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware and software versions, as well as implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such remote code execution or information disclosure vulnerabilities.