CVE-2021-0133 in Security Library
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Key exchange without entity authentication in the Intel(R) Security Library before version 3.3 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via network access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0133 resides within the Intel(R) Security Library, a critical component designed to provide cryptographic services and secure key exchange mechanisms for various security protocols. This weakness manifests as a failure in entity authentication during key exchange operations, representing a fundamental flaw in the library's security architecture that could be exploited by authenticated users to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 3.3, indicating that Intel recognized and addressed this issue through their security update process, though the specific nature of the flaw suggests a deeper architectural concern with how the library handles authentication during cryptographic operations.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of entity authenticity during key exchange processes, which creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks or credential manipulation. When the Intel Security Library performs key exchanges, it should verify that the communicating parties are legitimate entities before establishing secure communication channels. However, this validation mechanism fails, allowing an authenticated user who has already gained access to the system to potentially manipulate the key exchange process. This weakness directly relates to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in authentication mechanisms, particularly those involving key exchange protocols. The flaw essentially undermines the integrity of the cryptographic handshake process, enabling attackers to potentially substitute their own keys or impersonate legitimate entities within the secure communication framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security model that the Intel Security Library is designed to protect. An authenticated user who exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain administrative privileges or access sensitive data that should be protected by the cryptographic mechanisms the library is supposed to enforce. The network access requirement for exploitation indicates that this vulnerability cannot be leveraged from external networks without first establishing some level of authentication, but once inside the network, the attacker's ability to escalate privileges through this vector becomes significant. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through legitimate credentials, though the specific mechanism involves cryptographic protocol manipulation rather than traditional credential theft.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-0133 primarily involve upgrading to Intel Security Library version 3.3 or later, which includes the necessary fixes to properly implement entity authentication during key exchange operations. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions of the library and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly around authentication and key exchange activities. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of authentication and authorization controls to reduce the potential impact if an attacker were to successfully exploit this vulnerability. The fix likely addresses the root cause by strengthening the entity authentication checks within the key exchange protocol, ensuring that all parties involved in cryptographic operations are properly verified before proceeding with secure communication establishment.