CVE-2021-0086 in Brand Verification Tool
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Improper permissions in the installer for the Intel(R) Brand Verification Tool before version 11.0.0.1225 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 identified as CVE-2021-0086 affects the Intel(R) Brand Verification Tool installer prior to version 11.0.0.1225 and represents a critical permission flaw that could enable privilege escalation through local access. This issue falls under the category of improper access control and aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses inadequate permissions for critical resources. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the installer component, creating a potential attack vector for authenticated users who possess local system access.
The technical flaw manifests in the installer's handling of file permissions and access controls during the installation process. When the Intel Brand Verification Tool is installed on a system, the installer creates certain files and directories that may not be properly secured with appropriate access restrictions. This misconfiguration allows an authenticated user with local system access to manipulate or modify installer components that should remain protected. The vulnerability specifically impacts the installer's ability to enforce proper access controls, potentially enabling a malicious user to escalate privileges by exploiting these weak permission settings.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and security posture. An authenticated local user who can access the system where the installer was run or where the tool is installed could potentially leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it could enable attackers to modify core system components, install malicious software, or compromise the integrity of the brand verification functionality itself. This represents a serious concern for enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to systems running vulnerable versions of the Intel Brand Verification Tool.
The attack surface for this vulnerability primarily involves systems where the Intel Brand Verification Tool has been installed or is being installed, particularly in environments where local user access is not strictly controlled. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to gain system-level privileges, which would allow them to perform actions such as installing rootkits, modifying system binaries, or accessing sensitive data that would normally be protected by proper access controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise settings where the tool may be deployed across multiple systems and where proper access control enforcement is critical for maintaining security boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-0086 should focus on immediate remediation through the deployment of Intel's official patch or update to version 11.0.0.1225 or later. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the Intel Brand Verification Tool and ensure proper access controls are enforced for all installer components. Network segmentation and least privilege access principles should be enforced to limit local user access where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in installer components and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local system exploitation. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar permission issues in other software components and maintain overall system security hygiene.