CVE-2021-0132 in Security Library
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Missing release of resource after effective lifetime in an API for the Intel(R) Security Library before version 3.3 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable denial of service via network access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0132 resides within the Intel(R) Security Library, a critical component designed to provide cryptographic services and security functions for various computing platforms. This issue manifests as a resource management flaw that occurs during the API's operational lifecycle, specifically when resources are not properly released after their effective lifetime has concluded. The Intel Security Library serves as a foundational security element in numerous enterprise and government systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective. The flaw affects versions prior to 3.3, indicating that organizations running older iterations of this library may be exposed to potential exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a missing resource release issue aligns with common software security principles where improper resource management can lead to system instability and service disruption. This particular weakness exists within the library's application programming interface, suggesting that any application relying on these security functions could be susceptible to the described attack vector.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper handling of system resources within the Intel Security Library's API implementation. When privileged users interact with the library's functions, the system fails to properly deallocate or release allocated resources after their intended use period has completed. This resource leak can accumulate over time, particularly in environments where the library experiences high usage or continuous operation. The vulnerability specifically impacts scenarios where network access is involved, indicating that the resource management failure occurs during network-based operations or when the API handles network-related security functions. The fact that this requires a privileged user account suggests that the vulnerability operates at a system-level or kernel-level context, where elevated privileges are necessary to trigger the resource management failure. This design characteristic means that while the vulnerability may not be directly exploitable by unauthenticated attackers, it can be leveraged by compromised accounts or insider threats to cause system instability. The resource exhaustion that results from this flaw can manifest as memory leaks, file descriptor exhaustion, or other system resource constraints that ultimately lead to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-0132 extends beyond simple system performance degradation to potentially compromising the availability and reliability of security services within affected systems. When resources are not properly released, the system gradually consumes more and more memory or other critical resources, leading to progressive performance degradation until complete system failure occurs. This type of denial of service can be particularly devastating in security-critical environments where the Intel Security Library is relied upon for cryptographic operations, secure communications, or authentication services. The vulnerability's potential to affect network-based operations means that it could disrupt services that depend on secure network communications, potentially leading to extended outages or complete service unavailability. Organizations utilizing the affected library version may experience intermittent system crashes, application failures, or complete system hangs that require manual intervention or system restarts. The impact is particularly severe in high-availability environments or mission-critical systems where continuous operation is essential, as the resource exhaustion could lead to catastrophic service disruption. The vulnerability's presence in a core security library means that the denial of service could also potentially mask other security issues or prevent the system from properly enforcing security policies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-0132 center around upgrading to version 3.3 or later of the Intel Security Library, which contains the necessary patches to address the resource management flaw. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the library and prioritize the upgrade process accordingly. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect resource consumption patterns that may indicate the presence of this vulnerability before it leads to actual service disruption. The patching process should include thorough testing in controlled environments to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications or system configurations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing resource monitoring and alerting mechanisms that can notify administrators when system resources approach critical thresholds, providing early warning of potential resource exhaustion scenarios. Security teams should also review their access control policies to minimize the number of privileged accounts that can interact with the library's API functions, reducing the potential attack surface. The vulnerability's classification as a resource leak aligns with CWE-404, which specifically addresses improper resource release or unmanaged resource consumption, and may also relate to ATT&CK technique T1499.1 which covers resource exhaustion attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of any exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access to a privileged account, the damage is contained to prevent widespread service disruption.