CVE-2020-8741 in Thunderbolt Non-DCH Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 11/17/2021
Improper permissions in the installer for the Intel(R) Thunderbolt(TM) non-DCH driver, all versions, for Windows may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-8741 represents a critical permission flaw within the Intel Thunderbolt non-DCH driver installer for Windows systems. This issue affects all versions of the driver and stems from improper file and registry permissions that are set during the installation process. The installer fails to properly configure access controls for critical system components, creating a security gap that can be exploited by authenticated users with local access to the system. The flaw specifically impacts the Thunderbolt driver ecosystem, which is fundamental to Intel's hardware security architecture and enables high-speed data transfer capabilities through the Thunderbolt interface.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the installer's failure to implement proper discretionary access control mechanisms for the installed driver components and associated system files. When the installer creates or modifies system resources, it does not establish appropriate permission boundaries that would prevent unauthorized modification or execution. This misconfiguration allows a local authenticated user to manipulate driver files or registry entries that should be restricted to administrative privileges only. The vulnerability manifests as a privilege escalation vector because the installer's improper permissions enable a user to gain elevated privileges through manipulation of the installed driver components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where local user access is not strictly controlled. Attackers who have already gained local authentication access to a system can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges to SYSTEM level, effectively bypassing the operating system's security model. This escalation enables attackers to perform actions such as installing malicious software, modifying system files, accessing sensitive data, or establishing persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond individual systems as compromised machines can serve as launch points for lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core driver infrastructure that governs hardware security features, potentially undermining the integrity of the entire Thunderbolt security framework.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under privilege escalation techniques where adversaries exploit weak access controls to gain higher system privileges. The CWE classification for this issue would be CWE-276, which addresses improper permissions and access control mechanisms. Mitigation strategies include immediate deployment of Intel's patched driver versions, implementation of proper access control policies through group policy objects, and regular monitoring of system file permissions for unauthorized changes. Organizations should also consider implementing least privilege principles and restricting local user access where possible. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper permission management in system installer components and highlights the critical need for security reviews of driver installation processes to prevent similar issues in other hardware ecosystems.