CVE-2021-0200 in Ethernet 700 Series Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 11/17/2021
Out-of-bounds write in the firmware for Intel(R) Ethernet 700 Series Controllers before version 8.2 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0200 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the firmware of Intel(R) Ethernet 700 Series Controllers. This issue affects devices operating with firmware versions prior to 8.2, creating a significant security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors with local access privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking mechanisms within the firmware code, specifically within the network controller's firmware implementation that governs packet processing and memory management operations.
The technical nature of this flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition where malicious code can potentially write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of the controller's firmware. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The flaw occurs during firmware processing of network packets or configuration commands, where insufficient validation allows attackers to manipulate memory locations beyond their intended boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe privilege escalation vector for attackers who already possess local access to the affected system. The impact extends beyond simple data corruption, as it enables a privileged user to potentially gain elevated system privileges that would normally be restricted. This represents a significant threat to network infrastructure security, particularly in enterprise environments where these controllers are deployed for high-speed network communications. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access, but once achieved, it could provide attackers with the ability to modify firmware components or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The exploitation of CVE-2021-0200 aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and defense evasion domains. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points within network infrastructure, potentially compromising entire network segments. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of Intel Ethernet 700 Series Controllers across enterprise and data center environments. Organizations utilizing these controllers should immediately implement firmware updates to version 8.2 or later to remediate this security gap.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize firmware updates as the primary defense mechanism, ensuring that all affected Intel Ethernet 700 Series Controllers are upgraded to firmware version 8.2 or higher. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring protocols to detect unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue means that network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit potential attack surfaces. Security teams should also consider implementing firmware integrity checking mechanisms and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within the network infrastructure components.