#VU63083 Improper access control in Intel products - CVE-2021-33123

Vulnerability identifier: #VU63083

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.6 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-33123

CWE-ID: CWE-284

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon D Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
10th Generation Intel Core Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
8th Generation Intel Core Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
7th Generation Intel Core Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Core X-series Processor
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon W Processors
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon Processor E Family
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon Processor E3 v6 Family
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon Processor E3 v5 Family
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon Processor E7 v4 Family
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Intel Xeon Processor E5 v4 Family
Hardware solutions / Firmware
Rocket Lake Xeon
Hardware solutions / Other hardware appliances
9th Generation Intel Core Processors
Client/Desktop applications / Web browsers

Vendor: Intel

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system

The vulnerability exists due to improper access restrictions in the BIOS authenticated code module. A local user can obtain elevated privileges on the system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors: All versions

Intel Xeon D Processors: All versions

Rocket Lake Xeon: All versions

3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors: All versions

9th Generation Intel Core Processors: All versions

10th Generation Intel Core Processors: All versions

8th Generation Intel Core Processors: All versions

7th Generation Intel Core Processors: All versions

Intel Core X-series Processor: All versions

Intel Xeon W Processors: All versions

Intel Xeon Processor E Family: All versions

Intel Xeon Processor E3 v6 Family: All versions

Intel Xeon Processor E3 v5 Family: All versions

Intel Xeon Processor E7 v4 Family: All versions

Intel Xeon Processor E5 v4 Family: All versions

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External links
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00601.html

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

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