CVE-2020-8760 in AMT
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2020
Integer overflow in subsystem for Intel(R) AMT versions before 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70, 14.0.45 may allow a privileged 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-2020-8760 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Intel's Active Management Technology subsystem affecting multiple version ranges including those before 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70, and 14.0.45. This vulnerability resides in the core management engine component that provides out-of-band management capabilities for Intel processors, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where remote management is extensively utilized. The integer overflow occurs during processing of specific input parameters within the subsystem's memory handling routines, creating a condition where arithmetic operations exceed the maximum representable value for the data type being used.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic overflow handling within the Intel AMT implementation. When a privileged local user executes malicious operations that trigger the overflow condition, the system's memory management becomes compromised, potentially allowing the attacker to manipulate memory pointers or control flow within the management engine. This flaw operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation vector because it requires local access but does not necessitate network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local system access is possible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond simple privilege escalation, as Intel AMT is designed to provide persistent management capabilities even when the host operating system is compromised or powered off. Attackers who can achieve local access to a system running vulnerable Intel AMT versions can potentially maintain persistent access to the management engine, bypassing traditional operating system security controls. This creates a persistent backdoor that can be leveraged for advanced persistent threat campaigns, making the vulnerability particularly attractive to sophisticated attackers. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that Intel AMT is enabled by default on many enterprise systems, and the management engine continues to operate independently of the main OS, providing attackers with a resilient foothold.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-8760 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves updating all affected Intel AMT implementations to versions 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70, or 14.0.45 respectively, which contain the necessary patches to prevent the integer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate systems running Intel AMT, as the vulnerability can be exploited through local access points that may be reachable through various network interfaces. Security teams should consider disabling Intel AMT functionality when not actively required, as this reduces the attack surface and eliminates the risk associated with the vulnerable subsystem. Additionally, monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns or unauthorized local access attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive security operations centers to monitor and protect against.