CVE-2020-0508
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows an authenticated user on a local system to escalate privileges due to incorrect default permissions in Intel Graphics Driver installers. Attackers could gain higher system privileges than intended. Affects systems running vulnerable Intel Graphics Drivers before specified versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Graphics Drivers
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local authenticated attacker gains SYSTEM/root privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence installation, or lateral movement.
Likely Case
Malicious insider or compromised user account escalates to administrative privileges to install malware, modify system configurations, or access sensitive data.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and least privilege principles, impact is limited to the compromised user's scope; privilege escalation attempts are logged and detected.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local authenticated access; complexity is low as it involves permission manipulation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 15.33.49.5100, 15.36.38.5117, 15.40.44.5107, 15.45.30.5103, or 26.20.100.7212 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00315.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest Intel Graphics Driver from Intel website. 2. Uninstall current driver via Device Manager or Control Panel. 3. Install updated driver. 4. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict installer permissions
windowsManually adjust permissions on Intel Graphics Driver installer files to prevent unauthorized execution.
icacls "C:\Path\To\Intel\Installer.exe" /deny Users:(RX)
Implement least privilege
allEnsure users operate with minimal necessary privileges to reduce impact of potential escalation.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for privilege escalation attempts.
- Isolate systems with vulnerable drivers from critical network segments.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel Graphics Driver version in Device Manager (Windows) or via 'lspci -v' and driver info (Linux).Check Version:
Windows: dxdiag or Device Manager; Linux: glxinfo | grep 'OpenGL version' or check /sys/class/drm/card*/device/ueventVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm driver version is equal to or greater than patched versions listed in advisory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Unauthorized access to installer files
- System log entries showing driver installation/modification
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND ProcessName LIKE '%Intel%Installer%' AND NewProcessName LIKE '%cmd%' OR '%powershell%'