CVE-2021-0100 in SSD Data Center Tool
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Incorrect default permissions in the installer for the Intel(R) SSD Data Center Tool, versions downloaded before 12/31/2020, 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-2021-0100 affects the Intel(R) SSD Data Center Tool installer, specifically versions released prior to December 31, 2020. This security flaw represents a critical configuration issue that stems from improper default permissions assigned during the installation process. The vulnerability resides in the installer component rather than the core software functionality, making it particularly concerning as it creates an entry point for privilege escalation attacks that could be exploited by authenticated local users. The issue demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure configuration management practices where default installation settings do not adhere to security best practices for access controls and permission assignments.
The technical flaw manifests through the installer's creation of files and directories with overly permissive access controls that grant unnecessary write or execute privileges to user accounts. This misconfiguration allows an authenticated user with local system access to modify or execute components that should remain restricted to administrative privileges only. The vulnerability specifically targets the installation process where default permissions are set without proper consideration of the principle of least privilege, creating a persistent security weakness that remains active until the system is properly patched or reinstalled with corrected permissions. This type of flaw commonly maps to CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and represents a classic example of insecure default configuration in software deployment mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems running affected versions of the Intel SSD Data Center Tool, as it enables authenticated local users to potentially escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrative or system-level access. The attack vector is limited to local access, meaning that remote exploitation is not possible, but this still represents a serious concern for environments where local access controls are not properly enforced or where users may have legitimate access to systems but should not possess administrative capabilities. The privilege escalation capability could allow an attacker who has already gained local access to elevate their privileges and gain deeper system control, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2021-0100 requires immediate action to update to the patched version of the Intel SSD Data Center Tool released after December 31, 2020, which addresses the incorrect default permissions in the installer. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of their systems to identify any installations of the affected software versions and ensure proper permission settings are applied. System administrators should implement regular patch management processes to address such vulnerabilities promptly and consider additional security controls such as mandatory access controls, file integrity monitoring, and regular permission audits to detect and prevent similar misconfigurations. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, particularly those related to installation package manipulation and insecure permissions, as organizations should regularly review their installation processes to ensure they follow secure configuration practices and do not inadvertently create opportunities for privilege escalation attacks.