CVE-2021-0090 in DSA
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Uncontrolled search path element in Intel(R) DSA before version 20.11.50.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0090 represents a critical security flaw within Intel's Data Streaming Accelerator driver software, specifically affecting versions prior to 20.11.50.9. This issue manifests as an uncontrolled search path element that enables authenticated users with local access to potentially escalate their privileges on affected systems. The vulnerability resides in the driver's handling of path resolution mechanisms, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate the software's execution flow through carefully crafted file placement within system directories.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of search paths used by the Intel DSA driver during its operation. When the driver attempts to locate required libraries or components, it does not adequately sanitize or restrict the directories it searches, allowing for path traversal attacks. This flaw is categorized under CWE-427, which specifically addresses uncontrolled search path elements, where a program searches for files or libraries in directories that can be manipulated by an attacker. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only local authentication, meaning any user who can log into the system can potentially exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Intel DSA drivers are deployed. The privilege escalation capability allows attackers to gain administrative access to systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and lateral movement within networks. The local access requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where physical access or account compromise is possible, as it can be exploited without requiring network-based attack vectors. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as part of their comprehensive threat modeling, particularly in high-value targets where persistent access is desired.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-0090 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to version 20.11.50.9 or later, as provided by Intel. System administrators should also implement additional controls such as restricting local user privileges, monitoring for unauthorized file modifications in system directories, and conducting regular security audits of installed Intel components. The vulnerability's alignment with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," underscores the need for layered security approaches that include process monitoring, file integrity checks, and user access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized executables from running with elevated privileges, thereby reducing the attack surface for such privilege escalation vectors.