CVE-2020-0561 – This vulnerability in Intel SGX SDK allows auth... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-0561?

CVE-2020-0561 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability in Intel SGX SDK allows authenticated local users to potentially escalate privileges due to improper initialization. It affects systems running Intel SGX SDK versions before 2.6.100.1. The attacker must have local access to the system to exploit this flaw.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in Intel SGX SDK allows authenticated local users to potentially escalate privileges due to improper initialization. It affects systems running Intel SGX SDK versions before 2.6.100.1. The attacker must have local access to the system to exploit this flaw.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Intel SGX SDK

Versions: All versions before 2.6.100.1

Operating Systems: Linux, Windows (if SGX SDK installed)

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems with Intel SGX SDK installed and enabled. Requires Intel processors with SGX support.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

An authenticated attacker gains full system control through privilege escalation, potentially compromising sensitive SGX enclave data and system integrity.

🟠

Likely Case

Local authenticated users escalate privileges to gain unauthorized access to protected SGX enclave operations and system resources.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper access controls and patching, risk is limited to authorized users only, reducing potential damage scope.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local authenticated access, not remotely exploitable.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Local authenticated users can exploit this for privilege escalation on affected systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local authenticated access and knowledge of SGX SDK operations. No public exploit code available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 2.6.100.1 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00336.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download Intel SGX SDK v2.6.100.1 or later from Intel's website. 2. Uninstall current SGX SDK. 3. Install updated version. 4. Restart system. 5. Rebuild any SGX applications with updated SDK.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict Local Access

all

Limit local user access to systems with SGX SDK to only trusted administrators

Disable SGX SDK

all

Temporarily disable SGX SDK if not required for critical operations

sudo systemctl stop aesmd (Linux)
Stop Intel SGX services (Windows)

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges
Monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts on SGX-enabled systems

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check SGX SDK version: On Linux: dpkg -l | grep sgx or rpm -qa | grep sgx. On Windows: Check installed programs for Intel SGX SDK version.

Check Version:

Linux: sgx_version command or check package manager. Windows: Check program version in Control Panel.

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify SGX SDK version is 2.6.100.1 or higher using version check commands.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual privilege escalation attempts
SGX SDK process anomalies
Failed authentication attempts followed by successful privilege changes

Network Indicators:

Local privilege escalation typically has minimal network indicators

SIEM Query:

source="system" AND (event_id="4672" OR event_id="4688") AND process_name="sgx_*" OR source="auth" AND event_type="privilege_escalation"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-0561

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-665

Published: February 13, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-05/msg00009.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-05/msg00014.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00336.html Vendor Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-05/msg00009.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-05/msg00014.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00336.html Vendor Advisory

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