CVE-2020-24485
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel FPGA OPAE Driver for Linux allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges due to improper conditions checking. It affects Linux systems with Intel FPGA hardware before kernel version 4.17. Attackers could gain root access on vulnerable systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel FPGA OPAE Driver for Linux
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Authenticated attacker gains full root privileges, compromising the entire system and potentially accessing sensitive data or installing persistent malware.
Likely Case
Malicious insider or compromised user account escalates to root to install backdoors, steal credentials, or pivot to other systems.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact limited to isolated systems with no critical data exposure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated local access and knowledge of driver interaction. No public exploit code available at advisory publication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel 4.17 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00440.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version 4.17 or later. 2. Rebuild kernel modules if using custom kernel. 3. Reboot system to load patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove OPAE Driver Module
linuxUnload the vulnerable driver module if FPGA functionality is not required
sudo rmmod intel-fpga-pci
sudo rmmod intel-fpga-afu
sudo rmmod intel-fpga-fme
Restrict Driver Loading
linuxBlacklist the vulnerable driver modules to prevent loading
echo 'blacklist intel-fpga-pci' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-intel-fpga.conf
echo 'blacklist intel-fpga-afu' | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-intel-fpga.conf
echo 'blacklist intel-fpga-fme' | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-intel-fpga.conf
sudo update-initramfs -u
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with vulnerable driver
- Implement strict privilege separation and monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and loaded modules: uname -r and lsmod | grep intel-fpgaCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is 4.17+ and vulnerable modules are not loaded📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed privilege escalation attempts in audit logs
- Unexpected driver module loading
- Suspicious access to /dev/intel-fpga* devices
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
source="audit.log" AND (event_type="SYSCALL" AND syscall="ioctl" AND path="/dev/intel-fpga*")