CVE-2021-0008 in Ethernet Adapter 800 Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2021
Uncontrolled resource consumption in firmware for Intel(R) Ethernet Adapters 800 Series Controllers and associated adapters before version 1.5.3.0 may allow privileged user to potentially enable denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2021
This vulnerability affects Intel Ethernet Adapters 800 Series Controllers and their associated adapters with firmware versions prior to 1.5.3.0. The issue represents a classic resource exhaustion flaw that can be exploited by locally authenticated users with elevated privileges. The vulnerability falls under the category of uncontrolled resource consumption as defined by CWE-400, where the firmware fails to properly manage or limit resource allocation during processing operations. This allows a privileged user to consume excessive system resources such as memory, CPU cycles, or other computational assets through crafted inputs or operations that trigger the flawed resource management logic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate resource boundary checking within the firmware's processing routines. When a privileged user executes specific operations against the network adapter's firmware, the system fails to enforce proper limits on resource consumption, leading to potential system instability or complete service disruption. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion. The flaw specifically enables a local privilege escalation scenario where an already authenticated user can leverage their elevated privileges to perform operations that consume excessive resources, ultimately leading to denial of service conditions for legitimate system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect network connectivity, system responsiveness, and overall platform stability. Network administrators and system operators must be aware that a single privileged user with access to the affected hardware can potentially cause widespread service degradation or complete system unavailability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to network hardware or where privilege escalation attacks could occur. This scenario creates a potential attack vector where malicious actors with local access can systematically consume system resources to deny service to legitimate users or applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to version 1.5.3.0 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the resource consumption flaws. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege least-privilege principles should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and firmware update management processes should be implemented to ensure all network hardware remains protected against known vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include thorough testing of firmware updates in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to avoid introducing compatibility issues or operational disruptions.