CVE-2019-14570
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability involves memory corruption in Intel NUC system firmware that allows a privileged user with local access to potentially escalate privileges, cause denial of service, or disclose sensitive information. It affects Intel NUC systems running vulnerable firmware versions. Attackers need local access to exploit this vulnerability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel NUC systems
📦 What is this software?
Nuc 8 Mainstream Game Kit Firmware by Intel
View all CVEs affecting Nuc 8 Mainstream Game Kit Firmware →
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
A privileged attacker gains full system control, accesses sensitive data, and renders the system unusable through denial of service.
Likely Case
Privileged escalation allowing unauthorized access to system resources and potential data exfiltration.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper access controls and monitoring in place, though system stability could still be affected.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and privileged credentials. Memory corruption vulnerabilities can be complex to exploit reliably.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Firmware updates specified in Intel advisory SA-00296
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00296.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Visit Intel's security advisory SA-00296. 2. Identify your specific NUC model. 3. Download the appropriate firmware update. 4. Follow Intel's firmware update instructions for your model. 5. Reboot the system after update completion.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict physical and local access
allLimit physical access to NUC devices and restrict local user privileges to essential personnel only.
Implement strict access controls
allEnforce principle of least privilege and monitor for unusual privileged account activity.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected NUC systems from critical networks and sensitive data
- Implement enhanced monitoring for privilege escalation attempts and unusual system behavior
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check current firmware version in BIOS/UEFI settings or using Intel's system identification tools and compare against vulnerable versions in advisory SA-00296.Check Version:
System-specific commands vary by OS; typically check BIOS/UEFI version in system information tools.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version has been updated to a patched version listed in the Intel advisory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected system reboots
- Privilege escalation attempts
- Unusual firmware access patterns
Network Indicators:
- Unusual local network traffic from NUC systems
SIEM Query:
Search for events related to firmware updates, privilege escalation, or system instability on NUC devices.