CVE-2020-12297
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel CSME Driver and TXE installers allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges due to improper access control. It affects Windows systems running vulnerable Intel driver versions. Attackers could gain higher system privileges than intended.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel CSME Driver for Windows
- Intel TXE
📦 What is this software?
Converged Security And Manageability Engine by Intel
View all CVEs affecting Converged Security And Manageability Engine →
Converged Security And Manageability Engine by Intel
View all CVEs affecting Converged Security And Manageability Engine →
Converged Security And Manageability Engine by Intel
View all CVEs affecting Converged Security And Manageability Engine →
Converged Security And Manageability Engine by Intel
View all CVEs affecting Converged Security And Manageability Engine →
Converged Security And Manageability Engine by Intel
View all CVEs affecting Converged Security And Manageability Engine →
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with administrative privileges, enabling persistence, data theft, and lateral movement across the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to bypass security controls, install malware, or access restricted system resources.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper user access controls and monitoring, though local authenticated users could still attempt exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local authenticated access but appears straightforward based on vulnerability description.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: CSME Driver: 11.8.80, 11.12.80, 11.22.80, 12.0.70, 13.0.40, 13.30.10, 14.0.45, 14.5.25 or later; TXE: 3.1.80, 4.0.30 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00391
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest Intel CSME/TXE drivers from Intel website. 2. Run installer with administrative privileges. 3. Restart system when prompted. 4. Verify installation through Device Manager or system information.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Local User Privileges
windowsLimit standard user accounts to prevent authenticated local exploitation.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege access controls for all user accounts
- Monitor for privilege escalation attempts using security logging and endpoint detection
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel CSME/TXE driver version in Device Manager under System devices or using 'wmic' command: wmic path win32_pnpentity get caption,driverVersion | findstr /i "CSME TXE"Check Version:
wmic path win32_pnpentity get caption,driverVersion | findstr /i "CSME TXE"Verify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version meets or exceeds patched versions listed in advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Driver installation/modification by non-admin users
- Security log Event ID 4672 (special privileges assigned)
Network Indicators:
- No direct network indicators - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
EventID=4672 AND SubjectUserName NOT IN (admin_users_list) AND PrivilegeList CONTAINS "SeDebugPrivilege" OR "SeTcbPrivilege"🔗 References
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0002/
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0005/
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00391
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0002/
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20201113-0005/
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00391
