CVE-2021-33088
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges on Intel NUC M15 Laptop Kit systems due to incorrect default permissions in the Integrated Sensor Hub driver installer. Attackers could gain SYSTEM-level access by exploiting overly permissive file permissions set during installation. Only users with local access to affected systems are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel NUC M15 Laptop Kit Integrated Sensor Hub driver
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker gains SYSTEM/root privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Malicious local users or malware with user-level access escalate to administrative privileges to install additional malware, disable security controls, or access sensitive data.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls, least privilege principles, and network segmentation, impact is limited to the local system with reduced lateral movement potential.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local authenticated access and knowledge of vulnerable file locations. No public exploit code has been disclosed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.4.1.4449 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00569.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download updated driver from Intel Driver & Support Assistant or Intel website. 2. Uninstall previous driver version. 3. Install version 5.4.1.4449 or newer. 4. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove vulnerable driver
windowsUninstall the Intel Integrated Sensor Hub driver if not required for functionality
Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Intel(R) Integrated Sensor Solution
Restrict file permissions
windowsManually adjust permissions on driver files to remove write access for non-admin users
icacls "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ish*.sys" /deny Users:(F)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege access controls to limit local user permissions
- Monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts and file permission changes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check driver version in Device Manager > System devices > Intel(R) Integrated Sensor Solution > Driver tabCheck Version:
Get-WmiObject Win32_PnPSignedDriver | Where-Object {$_.DeviceName -like '*Intel*Integrated*Sensor*'} | Select-Object DeviceName, DriverVersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version is 5.4.1.4449 or higher in Device Manager📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Security Event ID 4688 (process creation) with parent-child privilege escalation
- Unexpected SYSTEM-level process execution from user contexts
- File permission changes to driver files
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from previously low-privilege accounts
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND NewProcessName="*\system32\*" AND ParentProcessName="*user*" | stats count by ParentProcessName, NewProcessName