CVE-2021-0098
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel Unite Client for Windows allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges on affected systems. Attackers could gain higher-level permissions than intended, potentially compromising the entire system. Only Windows systems running vulnerable versions of Intel Unite Client are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Unite Client for Windows
📦 What is this software?
Unite by Intel
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker gains SYSTEM/administrator privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local authenticated users (including low-privilege accounts) escalate to administrator privileges, allowing installation of malware, configuration changes, or data access.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and patching, impact is limited to denial of service or minimal privilege escalation attempts that are logged and blocked.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local authenticated access. The vulnerability involves improper access control that could be relatively straightforward to exploit once identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.2.25031 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00506.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Intel Unite Client version 4.2.25031 or later from Intel's official website. 2. Close all Intel Unite applications. 3. Run the installer with administrative privileges. 4. Follow installation prompts. 5. Restart the system when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Intel Unite Client
windowsTemporarily disable the Intel Unite Client service to prevent exploitation while awaiting patching.
sc stop "Intel Unite Client"
sc config "Intel Unite Client" start= disabled
Restrict Local Access
windowsImplement strict local access controls and limit user privileges on systems with Intel Unite Client installed.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Intel Unite Client from critical systems if not required for business operations
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel Unite Client version in Control Panel > Programs and Features or via command: wmic product where "name like 'Intel Unite%'" get versionCheck Version:
wmic product where "name like 'Intel Unite%'" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version is 4.2.25031 or higher using the same version check command📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing unexpected privilege escalation
- Security logs with event ID 4688 showing Intel Unite processes spawning with elevated privileges
- Application logs showing Intel Unite Client errors or unexpected behavior
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network connections from Intel Unite processes
- Intel Unite Client communicating with unexpected endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="windows_security" event_id=4688 process_name="*unite*" AND (integrity_level="High" OR integrity_level="System")