CVE-2022-46487 in SCONE
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2023
Improper initialization of x87 and SSE floating-point configuration registers in the __scone_entry component of SCONE before 5.8.0 for Intel SGX allows a local attacker to compromise the execution integrity of floating-point operations in an enclave or access sensitive information via side-channel analysis.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-46487 represents a critical flaw in the SCONE enclave runtime environment that affects versions prior to 5.8.0. This issue specifically targets the improper initialization of x87 and SSE floating-point configuration registers within the __scone_entry component, which serves as the entry point for enclave execution. The vulnerability arises from insufficient configuration of floating-point unit state management during enclave initialization, creating a pathway for local attackers to exploit the system's floating-point processing capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the failure to properly initialize the floating-point control and status registers that govern x87 and SSE instruction execution within Intel SGX enclaves. When the __scone_entry component initializes enclave execution, it does not adequately clear or set the floating-point state registers, leaving them in an unpredictable or previously used state. This improper initialization creates persistent floating-point configurations that may contain sensitive data or state information from previous enclave executions, potentially leaking information through side-channel analysis techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass execution integrity compromise within the enclave environment. Attackers can leverage the uninitialized floating-point registers to perform side-channel analysis that may reveal sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, memory contents, or other confidential data processed within the enclave. The vulnerability specifically targets the x87 floating-point unit and SSE instruction set extensions, which are commonly used in cryptographic operations and other security-sensitive computations within SGX enclaves. This creates a significant risk for applications that rely on enclave protection for maintaining confidentiality and integrity of sensitive operations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for execution through system services and T1552.001 for credentials harvesting through the exploitation of system-level weaknesses. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-377: Insecure Temporary File and CWE-254: Security Features are Too Weak, as it represents a security flaw in the initialization of critical system components. The issue also relates to CWE-310: Cryptographic Issues and CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information, since the uninitialized registers may contain cryptographic material or other sensitive information that should remain protected within the secure enclave environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-46487 primarily focus on upgrading to SCONE version 5.8.0 or later, which includes proper initialization of floating-point registers during enclave entry. Organizations should also implement comprehensive testing procedures to verify that floating-point state is properly managed in their enclave applications. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual floating-point operations that might indicate exploitation attempts, implementing proper enclave state management protocols, and ensuring that all enclave components follow secure initialization practices. System administrators should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms and regular security assessments to detect potential exploitation attempts that might leverage this vulnerability for information leakage or execution integrity compromise.