CVE-2021-0118 in Intel
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2022
Out-of-bounds read in the firmware for some Intel(R) Processors may allow a privileged user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2022
This vulnerability resides in the firmware of certain Intel processors and represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that can be exploited by privileged users with local access to potentially escalate their privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the processor's firmware implementation, specifically affecting the handling of memory operations during processor execution cycles. When a privileged user executes malicious code or exploits specific processor instructions, the firmware fails to validate memory access boundaries properly, leading to unauthorized data reads beyond allocated memory regions. This flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-129, which categorizes improper bounds checking issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local system exploitation. The vulnerability impacts Intel processors that implement specific microcode functionalities, particularly those utilizing advanced instruction sets and memory management features. The out-of-bounds read condition allows an attacker to access memory locations that should remain protected, potentially exposing sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, authentication credentials, or system configuration information. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where privileged users may have elevated access rights, as it provides a pathway for attackers to leverage existing privileges to gain further system control. The exploitation requires local access to the affected system, meaning that an attacker must already have some level of user access before attempting to exploit this vulnerability. However, the privilege escalation aspect makes this particularly concerning as it can enable attackers to move from a standard user account to administrative privileges. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access. Organizations should consider the vulnerability in the context of Intel's microcode updates and firmware security patches, as these represent the primary mitigation strategy. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of firmware security in modern computing systems, where vulnerabilities at the hardware level can have cascading effects on overall system integrity. This vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenges in securing processor-level firmware components, which often operate with high privileges and limited oversight compared to traditional software applications. The security implications extend to various attack vectors including potential data exfiltration, system monitoring, and establishment of persistent backdoors. Mitigation efforts should include immediate firmware updates from Intel, implementation of firmware integrity monitoring, and consideration of hardware-based security features such as Intel's Control Flow Enforcement Technology. Organizations must also evaluate their current privilege management practices and implement least privilege principles to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing at all levels of the computing stack, from application software to hardware firmware components, ensuring that security controls are robust enough to prevent exploitation across multiple attack surfaces.