CVE-2022-28697 in AMT
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2022
Improper access control in firmware for Intel(R) AMT and Intel(R) Standard Manageability may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via physical access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28697 represents a critical access control flaw within the firmware components of Intel Active Management Technology and Intel Standard Manageability implementations. This weakness specifically affects the authentication mechanisms that govern administrative access to system management functions, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker gains physical access to a targeted system, exploiting the improper access control to bypass authentication requirements and assume elevated administrative privileges.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of access controls within the firmware layer of Intel's manageability solutions. When physical access is obtained, an attacker can manipulate system management interfaces that should normally require authentication credentials to perform administrative operations. The flaw exists in how the firmware validates identity and authorization for management functions, allowing unauthenticated users to potentially execute privileged operations through physical access points. This type of vulnerability is classified as a weakness in access control mechanisms, aligning with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized administrative control. An attacker with physical access could exploit this flaw to gain complete administrative control over the targeted system, potentially enabling persistent access, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects systems where Intel AMT and Standard Manageability are enabled, which includes numerous enterprise servers and workstations from various manufacturers. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that physical access is often considered a trusted boundary, making this vulnerability especially dangerous in environments where physical security controls may be insufficient.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies addressing both the firmware-level vulnerability and broader physical security considerations. Immediate remediation involves applying firmware updates provided by Intel to address the access control flaw and ensure proper authentication mechanisms are enforced. System administrators should also conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and disable Intel AMT or Standard Manageability features when not required for operational purposes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of layered security approaches where physical access controls complement network-based security measures, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and initial access through physical means. Additionally, organizations should review their physical security policies and implement proper access controls for system maintenance areas to prevent unauthorized physical access to potentially vulnerable systems.