CVE-2020-8721

Vulnerability

Improper input validation vulnerability exists in the firmware of some Intel(R) Server Boards, Server Systems, and Compute Modules prior to version 1.59. This flaw may allow a privileged user to exploit the flaw by providing specially crafted input to the vulnerable code path. Affected products include specific Intel server platforms with firmware versions before 1.59. [1]

Exploitation

Exploitation requires local access and authentication as a privileged user. The attacker must be able to interact with the vulnerable component, potentially by issuing commands or triggering a code path that performs improper input validation. The exact sequence involves sending a malicious input to the vulnerable interface, which bypasses validation checks and leads to privilege escalation. [1]

Impact

Successful exploitation enables the attacker to escalate their privileges on the affected system, potentially gaining complete control over the server's firmware or operating system functions. This can lead to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. [1]

Mitigation

Intel has released firmware version 1.59 to address this vulnerability. Users are advised to update their server firmware to version 1.59 or later. No workarounds are mentioned in the advisory. The vulnerability is not currently listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. [1]