CVE-2021-33068 in AMT
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2022
Null pointer dereference in subsystem for Intel(R) AMT before versions 15.0.35 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via network access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-33068 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within Intel's Active Management Technology subsystem that affects versions prior to 15.0.35. This issue resides in the management engine component that provides out-of-band remote management capabilities for enterprise systems, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on Intel AMT for system administration and monitoring. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing certain network requests that target the subsystem's internal memory management functions, creating a condition where a null pointer reference can be dereferenced without proper validation. This flaw allows an authenticated attacker who has access to the network interface to exploit the vulnerability by sending specially crafted packets that trigger the null pointer dereference, resulting in a system crash or denial of service condition that disrupts normal operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions in software systems. The flaw occurs within the Intel AMT subsystem's request handling mechanism where incoming network messages are processed without adequate null pointer validation before being used in memory operations. The attack vector requires network access and authentication, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to access the AMT management interface, which typically operates on specific ports such as 16992 for HTTP and 16993 for HTTPS communications. This authentication requirement provides some protection against unauthorized exploitation but does not eliminate the risk entirely, as legitimate users with access credentials could potentially trigger the vulnerability inadvertently or maliciously. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where AMT is used for remote system management, as it can effectively disable critical management capabilities and render systems inaccessible for remote administration.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-33068 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass broader system reliability and availability concerns for organizations utilizing Intel AMT. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can cause complete system outages requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations, including system restarts or firmware reinstallation processes that can take considerable time to complete. For large enterprise deployments where multiple systems are managed through AMT, a single vulnerable system can potentially affect the entire management infrastructure, creating cascading failures that impact business continuity. The vulnerability also has implications for security monitoring systems that rely on AMT for system health checks and remote diagnostics, as the service interruption can mask other security issues or prevent timely detection of actual threats. Organizations using Intel AMT for critical infrastructure management face increased operational risk as the vulnerability can be exploited to disrupt essential system maintenance and monitoring functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-33068 primarily focus on implementing the vendor-provided firmware updates that address the null pointer dereference condition in Intel AMT versions prior to 15.0.35. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems to the latest firmware versions that include patches for this vulnerability, which typically involve enhanced input validation and proper null pointer checks in the subsystem's network request handling code. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of AMT interfaces to only authorized users and systems, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual network traffic patterns or repeated connection attempts to AMT ports that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling Intel AMT functionality when not actively required for management purposes, as this reduces the potential attack surface and minimizes the risk of exploitation. The implementation of these mitigations should be coordinated with existing security protocols and compliance requirements to ensure that system availability and security are maintained throughout the remediation process, while also considering the potential impact on existing management workflows that depend on AMT functionality.