CVE-2020-8702 in Processor Diagnostic Tool
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Uncontrolled search path element in the Intel(R) Processor Diagnostic Tool before version 4.1.5.37 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
The Intel(R) Processor Diagnostic Tool represents a critical security vulnerability categorized under uncontrolled search path element, specifically identified as CVE-2020-8702. This vulnerability exists within the tool's handling of system paths during execution, creating potential security risks for authenticated users who possess local access to affected systems. The flaw stems from improper validation of environmental variables and search paths that the diagnostic tool utilizes when performing its operational functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the search path elements to load malicious code in place of legitimate system components, thereby gaining unauthorized privileges on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the diagnostic tool's failure to properly sanitize or validate the PATH environment variable and related search path elements. When the tool executes, it traverses predetermined search paths to locate required libraries or executables, but does not adequately verify the legitimacy of these locations. This behavior aligns with CWE-427, which specifically addresses uncontrolled search path elements where a program searches for files in a manner that allows attackers to influence the program's behavior by placing malicious files in directories that are searched before legitimate ones. The vulnerability essentially creates a race condition where an attacker can place malicious binaries or libraries in directories that the diagnostic tool will access before the intended system components, enabling code execution with elevated privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and security posture. An authenticated user with local access can potentially leverage this weakness to escalate privileges beyond their normal permissions, potentially gaining administrative or root-level access to the system. The attack vector requires local system access and authentication, making it particularly concerning for environments where user access controls are not properly enforced. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can enable attackers to install persistent backdoors, modify system configurations, or exfiltrate sensitive data. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where diagnostic tools are commonly installed and used for system maintenance and troubleshooting activities.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-8702 primarily focus on updating to the patched version of the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool, specifically version 4.1.5.37 or later. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of the diagnostic tool are updated across their network infrastructure. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as privilege separation, restricted user accounts, and monitoring for unauthorized local access attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under the T1068 category, where adversaries exploit weaknesses in program execution to gain elevated privileges. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit local access points and reduce the attack surface. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual PATH environment variable modifications or unexpected binary execution patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.