CVE-2021-0077 in VTune Profiler
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Insecure inherited permissions in the installer for the Intel(R) VTune(TM) Profiler before version 2021.1.1 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-0077 represents a critical security flaw in the Intel VTune Profiler installer software where insecure inherited permissions create a pathway for privilege escalation. This issue affects versions prior to 2021.1.1 and specifically targets the installation process where the installer fails to properly configure file and directory permissions, leaving sensitive components with overly permissive access controls. The flaw resides in the installer's handling of inherited permissions, which allows authenticated local users to potentially exploit these weaknesses and elevate their privileges to administrative levels. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the trust model inherent in the installation process, where legitimate system components are configured with insufficient access restrictions.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a permissions misconfiguration during the installation of Intel VTune Profiler software, where the installer does not properly enforce security boundaries between different user contexts. The insecure inheritance of permissions means that files and directories created during installation may retain access controls that are too permissive for their intended security context, potentially allowing local users to modify or access privileged components. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-732 as improper permission assignment, which directly relates to the failure to properly configure access controls for security-relevant resources. The vulnerability operates at the system-level installation phase, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect the entire system security posture rather than just the application itself.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-0077 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the profiling environment and potentially gain deeper access to system resources. An authenticated local user who can execute the installer or access the installed components can exploit this vulnerability to elevate their privileges, which could lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1548.001 which covers "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism". The threat actor could leverage this weakness to modify system files, install malicious software, or establish persistent access to the system. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to systems running vulnerable versions of Intel VTune Profiler.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-0077 primarily involve upgrading to Intel VTune Profiler version 2021.1.1 or later, which includes fixed permission handling in the installer. Organizations should also implement proper access control measures, including restricting local user access to system installation directories and monitoring for unauthorized installer execution. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable software and ensure that the updated versions are properly deployed across all systems. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege controls and regular security audits of installed software components can help prevent exploitation of similar permission-based vulnerabilities. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring that the installer properly configures access controls for all created files and directories, preventing unauthorized access that could lead to privilege escalation.