CVE-2021-0147 is classified as a medium-severity vulnerability due to improper locking in the Power Management Controller (PMC) for some Intel Chipset firmware. This vulnerability allows a privileged user to potentially enable denial of service via local access. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 4.4, indicating that while it is not the most critical, it poses a significant risk if exploited.
The implications of CVE-2021-0147 are particularly relevant for organizations utilizing affected Intel Chipsets. Given the nature of this vulnerability, it is crucial for organizations to assess their systems and determine if they are affected. The vulnerability is present in versions of the Power Management Controller firmware prior to pmc_fw_lbg_c1-21ww02a and pmc_fw_lbg_b0-21ww02a.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent potential service interruptions. As of now, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
In conclusion, CVE-2021-0147 presents a real risk to organizations that utilize vulnerable Intel Chipset firmware. It is essential for security teams to remain vigilant and ensure their systems are updated to mitigate any potential impact.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2021-0147 states: 'Improper locking in the Power Management Controller (PMC) for some Intel Chipset firmware before versions pmc_fw_lbg_c1-21ww02a and pmc_fw_lbg_b0-21ww02a may allow a privileged user to potentially enable denial of service via local access.' This vulnerability is classified under CWE-667.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 4.4, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is local, requiring high privileges for exploitation. The availability impact is rated as high, emphasizing the potential for denial of service.
The vulnerability affects the Power Management Controller (PMC) provided by Intel, specifically impacting versions prior to pmc_fw_lbg_c1-21ww02a and pmc_fw_lbg_b0-21ww02a. The vulnerability was published on February 9, 2022.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-0147 stems from improper locking mechanisms within the Power Management Controller's firmware. This flaw allows a privileged user to manipulate the system, potentially leading to a denial of service. The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have physical access to the system.
The attack complexity is low, as the vulnerability can be exploited without any user interaction. High privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability, meaning that an attacker must have significant access rights. The availability impact is high, as successful exploitation could lead to service interruptions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential denial of service, which could disrupt operations and lead to financial losses. Given the nature of the vulnerability, the blast radius could be significant for organizations utilizing the affected Intel Chipset firmware. Organizations should assess their risk based on their deployment of Intel products.
The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is moderate, as it is not actively exploited in the wild but poses a significant risk to affected systems. Organizations should schedule remediation as part of their security posture.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include all versions of the Power Management Controller firmware prior to pmc_fw_lbg_c1-21ww02a and pmc_fw_lbg_b0-21ww02a.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should implement the following remediation measures: apply the firmware updates provided by Intel to mitigate this vulnerability. Upgrading to the specified versions will resolve the issue. In the absence of an immediate patch, organizations may consider configuration hardening and network controls to limit potential local access to affected systems.
For effective validation of remediation, organizations should engage in penetration testing to ensure all vulnerabilities have been addressed.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unusual access patterns to the Power Management Controller can help in early detection of potential exploit attempts. Organizations should log access attempts and monitor for any unauthorized changes to the system's configuration.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-0147 lies in its demonstration of how vulnerabilities in foundational components like firmware can impact overall system security. Organizations should take this as a lesson to implement rigorous testing and validation processes for firmware updates.
This vulnerability represents a pattern of risks associated with insufficient locking mechanisms in critical components. Security teams should prioritize their focus on firmware security and the potential for local access vulnerabilities.
For further insights on vulnerability management, organizations can refer to resources on vulnerability management programs and penetration testing methodologies to strengthen their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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