CVE-2021-0007 in Ethernet Adapter 800 Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2021
Uncaught exception in firmware for Intel(R) Ethernet Adapters 800 Series Controllers and associated adapters before version 1.5.1.0 may allow a privileged attacker to potentially enable denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0007 represents a critical flaw in the firmware of Intel(R) Ethernet Adapters 800 Series Controllers and their associated network adapters. This issue manifests as an uncaught exception within the firmware implementation, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by adversaries with local privileged access. The vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions prior to 1.5.1.0, indicating that Intel has acknowledged and addressed this weakness in their subsequent releases. The nature of the flaw suggests that when certain conditions are met during firmware execution, the system fails to properly handle exceptional circumstances, leading to unexpected behavior that could compromise system stability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling mechanisms within the firmware codebase. When the firmware encounters an unexpected condition or invalid input during normal operation, the absence of proper exception handling routines causes the system to terminate abruptly or enter an undefined state. This failure mode creates a denial of service condition where legitimate network operations become disrupted, potentially rendering the network adapter non-functional or severely degraded in performance. The vulnerability's classification as a firmware-level issue means that it operates below the operating system layer, making it particularly challenging to detect and remediate through conventional software patching mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it provides a pathway for attackers with local privileged access to systematically degrade network infrastructure. The local access requirement implies that an attacker must already have some level of system privileges or physical access to the target device, but this limitation does not diminish the severity of the potential impact. Network administrators and security professionals must consider that such vulnerabilities can be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns, potentially serving as initial access points or as components in more sophisticated multi-stage attacks. The vulnerability's potential for enabling persistent denial of service conditions makes it particularly concerning in enterprise environments where network availability is critical for business operations.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2021-0007 centers primarily on firmware updates provided by Intel, with version 1.5.1.0 or later recommended for deployment across affected systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive inventory management to identify all affected Intel 800 Series network controllers and ensure timely deployment of the patched firmware versions. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's impact would manifest as network service disruptions or intermittent connectivity issues. Additionally, the implementation of proper access controls and privilege management can help reduce the attack surface by limiting local access to critical network infrastructure components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-459, which addresses incomplete cleanup issues in software, and represents a typical example of how firmware-level flaws can create persistent security concerns that require coordinated remediation efforts across hardware and software components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, highlighting its potential for disrupting network operations and availability.