CVE-2020-8750 in TXE
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2020
Use after free in Kernel Mode Driver for Intel(R) TXE versions before 3.1.80 and 4.0.30 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-8750 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the kernel mode driver component of Intel Trusted Execution Engine (TXE) firmware versions prior to 3.1.80 and 4.0.30. This vulnerability resides in the core security infrastructure that governs hardware-based trusted execution environments, making it particularly concerning for systems relying on Intel TXE for secure boot processes and hardware-level security enforcement. The flaw manifests when a kernel-mode driver fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation sequences, creating opportunities for malicious code to exploit the freed memory regions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, where memory that has been freed is still accessed or referenced by subsequent operations. In the context of kernel mode drivers, this flaw allows an authenticated local user to manipulate memory structures in ways that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The exploitation process typically involves allocating memory, using it, freeing it, and then manipulating the freed memory region to redirect execution flow or corrupt critical data structures. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in kernel contexts where successful exploitation can result in full system compromise and privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2020-8750 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially undermine the fundamental security guarantees provided by Intel TXE technology. Systems utilizing affected firmware versions may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data, complete system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's requirement for local authentication reduces its immediate exposure compared to remote exploits, but it still represents a significant threat vector for insider attacks or compromised local accounts. Organizations running affected systems face potential data breaches, regulatory compliance issues, and increased risk of advanced persistent threats leveraging this weakness.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation techniques through kernel vulnerabilities. Security professionals should consider this flaw as part of broader threat modeling efforts, particularly in environments where Intel TXE is deployed for security-critical functions. Mitigation strategies include immediate firmware updates to versions 3.1.80 or 4.0.30, which contain the necessary memory management fixes. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, monitoring for anomalous local system behavior, and maintaining comprehensive system hardening practices can help reduce the attack surface and potential impact of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any additional systems potentially affected by similar kernel-mode driver vulnerabilities that could be leveraged in coordinated attacks.