CVE-2017-5689 is a critical vulnerability that allows unprivileged network attackers to gain system privileges on provisioned Intel manageability SKUs. This includes Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) and Intel Standard Manageability (ISM). Additionally, unprivileged local attackers can exploit manageability features, gaining unauthorized network or local system privileges on the affected devices.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. The impact includes high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks, making it imperative for organizations to address this issue promptly. Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to severe consequences, including unauthorized system access and potential data breaches.
CVE-2017-5689 is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, highlighting its significance in the threat landscape. Organizations are advised to apply the necessary updates as outlined by the vendor to mitigate this risk effectively.
Urgency for defenders is high; organizations should prioritize patching immediately to safeguard their systems from potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows an attacker to provision Intel manageability features without proper authorization, specifically affecting the Intel Active Management Technology (AMT), Intel Standard Manageability (ISM), and Intel Small Business Technology (SBT). The CVSS v3.1 score indicates a critical severity due to its high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
This vulnerability was published on May 2, 2017, and is classified under CWE-269, which pertains to privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Organizations using affected products are strongly urged to apply vendor patches immediately.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the lack of proper authorization checks within the Intel manageability features, allowing attackers to exploit the system without needing elevated privileges. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no user interaction required, making it particularly dangerous.
Since the vulnerability can be exploited over the network, attackers may leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to systems and execute malicious actions. The vulnerability has a scope of unchanged, meaning successful exploitation does not affect other components.
The attack complexity is low, requiring no specific privileges and no user interaction. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, indicating that successful exploitation can lead to significant system compromise.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing affected Intel products should be aware of the substantial risks posed by CVE-2017-5689. The ability for unprivileged attackers to gain system privileges can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and critical system functions. The blast radius is significant, given the widespread deployment of Intel technologies across various sectors.
The urgency for remediation is underscored by the critical CVSS score and its inclusion in the KEV catalog. Organizations must act swiftly to safeguard their environments against potential exploitation, which could compromise operational integrity and confidentiality.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) are affected by this vulnerability: 6.0 through 11.6. Additionally, various Siemens and HPE firmware versions are also vulnerable, highlighting the extensive impact of this issue.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest security patches provided by Intel for the affected versions. For detailed guidance, refer to the Intel security advisory. In cases where patches cannot be applied immediately, consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure to unprivileged network access.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns or unauthorized access attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, logging systems should capture all management actions to identify any unauthorized provisioning activities.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2017-5689 lies in its demonstration of how unprivileged access can lead to critical system compromises. It reflects a trend where vulnerabilities in management technologies pose severe risks to both individual organizations and the broader ecosystem.
Security teams should take note of this vulnerability to identify potential weaknesses in their own environments. For comprehensive guidance on securing management technologies, organizations may refer to the privilege escalation best practices and consider engaging in penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of their defenses.
Overall, CVE-2017-5689 serves as a critical reminder of the need for robust security measures around management technologies and the importance of timely patching.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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