CVE-2020-12304
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel DAL SDK Installer for Windows allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges through improper access control. It affects systems running Intel DAL SDK versions before 2.1 on Windows. Attackers could gain higher system privileges than intended.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel(R) DAL SDK Installer
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local authenticated attacker gains SYSTEM/administrator privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence installation, or lateral movement.
Likely Case
Malicious insider or compromised user account escalates to administrator privileges to install malware, steal sensitive data, or bypass security controls.
If Mitigated
With proper privilege separation and least privilege principles, impact limited to user's own account scope with no privilege escalation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local authenticated access. The vulnerability is in the installer's access control mechanisms.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version 2.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00391
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Intel DAL SDK version 2.1 or later from Intel's official website. 2. Uninstall previous versions. 3. Install the updated version. 4. Restart the system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Installer Access
windowsLimit access to Intel DAL SDK installer files and directories to authorized administrators only.
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel\DAL SDK" /inheritance:r /grant:r "Administrators:(OI)(CI)F" /grant:r "SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F" /remove:g "Users"
icacls "C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\DAL SDK" /inheritance:r /grant:r "Administrators:(OI)(CI)F" /grant:r "SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F" /remove:g "Users"
Remove Unnecessary Installations
windowsUninstall Intel DAL SDK if not required for business operations.
appwiz.cpl
Find 'Intel DAL SDK' in programs list and select Uninstall
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege principles - ensure users don't have local admin rights unnecessarily
- Monitor for privilege escalation attempts using Windows Event Logs and security tools
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check installed Intel DAL SDK version via Programs and Features or registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Intel\DAL SDKCheck Version:
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Intel\DAL SDK" /v VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Intel DAL SDK version is 2.1 or higher in Programs and Features or registry.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing privilege escalation attempts
- Unexpected installer processes running with elevated privileges
- Access to DAL SDK installer files by non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local privilege escalation
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (ProcessName LIKE '%dalsdk%' OR ProcessName LIKE '%intel%install%') AND NewProcessName LIKE '%*' AND SubjectUserName NOT IN ('SYSTEM', 'Administrator')