Privilege escalation in Intel CSME, TXE and SPS

1) Improper Initialization

EUVDB-ID: #VU48681

Risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2020-8705

CWE-ID: CWE-665 - Improper Initialization

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local attacker to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper initialization in Intel Boot Guard. An attacker with physical access can run a specially crafted application to execute arbitrary code with escalated privileges on the system.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Converged Security and Management Engine (CSME): All versions

Intel Trusted Execution Engine Firmware: All versions

Intel Server Platform Services Firmware: All versions

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:h:intel:csme:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:h:intel:intel_txe:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:intel:intel_sps:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0002/
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0004/
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0005/
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00391

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. The attacker should have physical access to the system in order to successfully exploit this vulnerability.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.