CVE-2022-21180 in Intel
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2022
Improper input validation for some Intel(R) Processors may allow an authenticated user to potentially cause a denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21180 represents a critical flaw in Intel processor design that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the processor's microarchitecture. This weakness specifically affects certain Intel processor models and manifests when an authenticated user with local access attempts to exploit malformed input sequences that the processor fails to properly validate. The vulnerability resides in the processor's handling of specific instruction sets and data processing pathways, where insufficient validation allows malicious inputs to bypass normal processing boundaries and potentially disrupt system operations.
From a technical perspective, the flaw operates at the hardware level within Intel's processor implementation, where the validation mechanisms for incoming data streams are insufficient to properly filter or reject malformed inputs. This issue falls under the CWE category of improper input validation, specifically CWE-20 which encompasses weaknesses related to insufficient validation of input data. The vulnerability exploits the processor's trust in input data without adequate verification steps, creating a pathway for an authenticated local user to manipulate processor behavior through carefully crafted input sequences that the hardware fails to properly validate or sanitize.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-21180 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it represents a fundamental weakness in processor security architecture that could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks if exploited in combination with other vulnerabilities. An authenticated user with local access can leverage this flaw to cause system instability, leading to complete system crashes or denial of service conditions that persist until system reboot. The vulnerability's local access requirement means that attackers must first gain legitimate user credentials or physical access to the system, but once achieved, the impact can be severe as it operates at the hardware level where traditional software-based protections may be insufficient.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. The vulnerability could potentially be used as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, as it allows an authenticated user to gain control over processor operations that should normally be protected from user manipulation. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management strategies to address this vulnerability, as Intel has released microcode updates and firmware fixes to address the input validation deficiencies. The remediation process requires careful coordination between hardware vendors, operating system vendors, and system administrators to ensure complete protection across affected processor architectures.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of robust input validation at all levels of system architecture, from firmware through operating system interfaces. This flaw demonstrates how hardware-level validation failures can create persistent security weaknesses that affect entire processor families and require coordinated remediation efforts across multiple technology domains. System administrators should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's impact can be difficult to detect through conventional security scanning methods due to its hardware-level nature and the requirement for authenticated local access to trigger the condition.