CVE-2022-28709 in E810 Ethernet Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2022
Improper access control in the firmware for some Intel(R) E810 Ethernet Controllers before version 1.6.2.9 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28709 represents a critical access control flaw within the firmware of Intel E810 Ethernet Controllers, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.6.2.9. This issue stems from inadequate privilege validation mechanisms that permit unauthorized local users to exploit the system's security boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the firmware level, which means it exists below the operating system layer and can potentially bypass traditional software-based security controls. The affected hardware components are widely deployed in enterprise networking infrastructure, making this a significant concern for organizations relying on Intel's high-performance Ethernet solutions. The improper access control implementation creates a pathway for malicious actors with local system access to manipulate core network functions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the firmware's failure to properly validate user privileges before executing critical system operations. When a privileged user accesses the affected network controller, the firmware does not adequately verify whether the user possesses the necessary authorization level to perform denial of service operations. This weakness creates a potential attack vector where an attacker with local access could leverage the controller's administrative functions to disrupt network services. The flaw manifests as a failure to enforce proper access controls during firmware runtime, allowing for unauthorized manipulation of network interface parameters that could lead to service disruption. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues where an attacker can gain unauthorized access to resources or capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28709 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures. Organizations utilizing Intel E810 controllers in data centers, enterprise networks, or edge computing environments face significant risk from this vulnerability. A successful exploitation could result in network outages, service degradation, or complete loss of network connectivity for affected systems. The local access requirement means that attackers must already have system-level privileges or physical access to the target machines, but this limitation does not mitigate the overall risk given the widespread deployment of these controllers. Network administrators and security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly in environments where privileged accounts are compromised or where physical security controls are inadequate.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 1.6.2.9 or later, which contain the necessary security patches to address the access control flaw. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected Intel E810 controllers across their network infrastructure and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Network segmentation and privilege minimization should be enforced to limit potential attack surface, ensuring that only necessary personnel have local access to affected systems. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous access patterns or unauthorized configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, and organizations should implement appropriate defensive measures to detect and prevent such activities. Regular vulnerability assessments and firmware update management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future, particularly given the critical nature of firmware security in modern network infrastructure.