CVE-2021-0073
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel Data Streaming Accelerator (DSA) allows authenticated local users to potentially escalate privileges due to insufficient control flow management. It affects systems running vulnerable versions of Intel DSA driver software. Attackers could gain higher privileges on affected systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Data Streaming Accelerator (DSA)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local authenticated attacker gains root/system-level privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, and persistence.
Likely Case
Privileged user or malware with local access escalates to higher privileges to install additional malware or access restricted resources.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact limited to isolated systems with minimal lateral movement.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local authenticated access and knowledge of control flow manipulation techniques.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 20.11.50.9 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00510.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Intel DSA driver version 20.11.50.9 or later from Intel website. 2. Stop DSA services. 3. Install updated driver. 4. Reboot system. 5. Verify driver version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Intel DSA
linuxTemporarily disable Intel Data Streaming Accelerator functionality
modprobe -r idxd
systemctl stop intel-dsa-service
Restrict Local Access
allLimit local authenticated access to systems with vulnerable DSA drivers
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege access controls to limit local authenticated users
- Monitor for privilege escalation attempts and unusual process behavior
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel DSA driver version: On Linux: 'modinfo idxd' or check /sys/bus/dsa/devices. On Windows: Check driver version in Device Manager under System devices.Check Version:
Linux: 'modinfo idxd | grep version' or 'cat /sys/bus/dsa/devices/dsa0/version'. Windows: Check Properties in Device Manager.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version is 20.11.50.9 or higher using same commands as vulnerability check.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege escalation attempts
- Failed authorization events followed by successful privileged operations
- Driver loading/unloading anomalies
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 OR Process Creation with parent-child privilege mismatch OR Driver Load events for idxd.sys