CVE-2020-0530

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-0530?

CVE-2020-0530 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in Intel NUC firmware that allows authenticated local users to potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability affects specific Intel NUC products and requires physical or local access to exploit. Attackers could gain elevated system privileges by exploiting improper buffer restrictions in the firmware.

7.8 HIGH

Buffer Overflow

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in Intel NUC firmware that allows authenticated local users to potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability affects specific Intel NUC products and requires physical or local access to exploit. Attackers could gain elevated system privileges by exploiting improper buffer restrictions in the firmware.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Intel NUC 8 Compute Element
Intel NUC 8 Rugged Kit
Intel NUC 8 Rugged Board
Intel NUC 8 Mainstream Kit
Intel NUC 8 Mainstream Board
Intel NUC 8 Performance Kit
Intel NUC 8 Performance Board
Intel NUC 8 Pro Kit
Intel NUC 8 Pro Board
Intel NUC 8 Business Kit
Intel NUC 8 Business Board
Intel NUC 8 Home

Versions: Firmware versions before 0066

Operating Systems: All operating systems running on affected hardware

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects specific Intel NUC models listed in Intel SA-00343. Requires local authenticated access to exploit.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

An authenticated attacker gains full administrative control over the system, potentially installing persistent malware, accessing sensitive data, or compromising the entire system.

🟠

Likely Case

Local authenticated user escalates privileges to gain unauthorized access to system resources or install unauthorized software.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper access controls and firmware updates, the risk is significantly reduced to minimal or no impact.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This vulnerability requires local/authenticated access and cannot be exploited remotely over the internet.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal users with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, but it requires authentication and specific conditions.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local authenticated access and knowledge of the vulnerability. No public exploit code has been released.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Firmware version 0066 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00343.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Visit Intel's support website. 2. Download firmware update 0066 or later for your specific NUC model. 3. Run the firmware update utility. 4. Restart the system as prompted.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict physical access

all

Limit physical access to NUC devices to authorized personnel only

Implement least privilege

all

Ensure users only have necessary permissions and cannot run arbitrary code

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Isolate affected NUC devices on separate network segments
Implement strict access controls and monitor for suspicious local activity

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check current firmware version in BIOS/UEFI settings or using Intel's System Support Utility

Check Version:

For Windows: Use Intel Driver & Support Assistant. For Linux: Check dmesg or use dmidecode command.

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version is 0066 or later in BIOS/UEFI settings

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected firmware access attempts
Privilege escalation events
Unauthorized local user activity

Network Indicators:

Local privilege escalation attempts are difficult to detect via network monitoring

SIEM Query:

EventID=4688 AND ProcessName contains 'firmware' OR 'bios' AND User NOT IN (authorized_users)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-0530

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-120

Published: March 12, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00343.html Vendor Advisory
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00343.html Vendor Advisory

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Compute Stick Stck1a32wfc Firmware by Intel

Compute Stick Stck1a8lfc Firmware by Intel

Compute Stick Stk1a32sc Firmware by Intel

Compute Stick Stk1aw32sc Firmware by Intel

Compute Stick Stk2m364cc Firmware by Intel

Compute Stick Stk2m3w64cc Firmware by Intel

Nuc 7 Enthusiast Pc Nuc7i7bnhxg Firmware by Intel

Nuc 7 Essential Pc Nuc7cjysal Firmware by Intel

Nuc 7 Home A Mini Pc Nuc7i3bnhxf Firmware by Intel

Nuc 7 Home A Mini Pc Nuc7i5bnhxf Firmware by Intel

Nuc 7 Home A Mini Pc Nuc7i5bnkp Firmware by Intel

Nuc 8 Business Pc Nuc8i7hnkqc Firmware by Intel

Nuc 8 Enthusiast Pc Nuc8i7bekqa Firmware by Intel

Nuc 8 Home Pc Nuc8i3cysm Firmware by Intel

Nuc 8 Mainstream G Kit Nuc8i5inh Firmware by Intel

Nuc 8 Mainstream G Kit Nuc8i7inh Firmware by Intel

Nuc 8 Mainstream G Mini Pc Nuc8i7inh Firmware by Intel

Nuc 8 Mainstream G Mini Pc Nuc8i7inh Firmware by Intel

Nuc 8 Rugged Kit Nuc8cchkr Firmware by Intel

Nuc Board D34010wyb Firmware by Intel

Nuc Board D54250wyb Firmware by Intel

Nuc Board De3815tybe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Board Nuc5i3mybe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Board Nuc5i5mybe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Board Nuc7i3dnbe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Board Nuc7i5dnbe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Board Nuc7i7dnbe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Board Nuc8cchb Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit D34010wyk Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit D34010wykh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit D54250wyk Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit D54250wykh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit De3815tykhe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5cpyh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5i3myhe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5i3ryh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5i3ryhs Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5i3ryhsn Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5i3ryk Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5i5myhe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5i5ryh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5i5ryhs Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5i5ryk Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5i7ryh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5pgyh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc5ppyh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc6cayh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc6cays Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc6i3syh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc6i3syk Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc6i5syh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc6i5syk Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc6i7kyk Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7cjyh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i3bnh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i3bnhx1 Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i3bnk Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i3dnhe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i3dnke Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i5bnh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i5bnhx1 Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i5bnk Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i5dnhe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i5dnke Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i7bnh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i7bnhx1 Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i7dnhe Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7i7dnke Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc7pjyh Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc8i7bek Firmware by Intel

Nuc Kit Nuc8i7hnk Firmware by Intel