CVE-2021-0067 in NUC
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Improper access control in system firmware for some Intel(R) NUCs may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
This vulnerability resides within the system firmware of certain Intel NUC devices, specifically addressing weaknesses in access control mechanisms that could be exploited by privileged users with local system access. The flaw represents a critical security oversight where proper authorization checks fail to prevent elevated privileges from being granted to users who should not have such capabilities. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions within the firmware layer, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors with local access to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized control over system functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves insufficient access control validation during firmware operations, allowing a user who already possesses some level of system privileges to potentially manipulate system parameters that should remain restricted. This type of flaw typically occurs when firmware components fail to properly authenticate or authorize requests for privileged operations, creating a window where legitimate system users might exploit the missing controls. The vulnerability specifically affects Intel NUC systems where the firmware does not adequately enforce the principle of least privilege, enabling users to bypass normal access restrictions through local system interactions.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations deploying affected Intel NUC systems, particularly in environments where local access cannot be strictly controlled or monitored. The potential for privilege escalation means that attackers with local access could gain administrative control over the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where NUC devices serve as edge computing nodes or embedded systems, as these devices often operate with minimal oversight and may be physically accessible to unauthorized individuals. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data breaches, system corruption, and unauthorized modification of critical system parameters.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates provided by Intel to address the access control flaws in the affected system firmware. Organizations must ensure that all affected Intel NUC devices receive the latest firmware patches that correct the improper access control mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict physical security measures to limit local access to affected devices and establish robust monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that forms the foundation of secure system design. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could be leveraged as part of broader attack chains targeting system firmware components, making it a critical concern for cybersecurity teams implementing comprehensive threat detection and response strategies.