CVE-2017-5711 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Multiple buffer overflows in Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) firmware versions 8.x to 11.20 allow attackers with physical access to run arbitrary code.

Understanding CVE-2017-5711

This CVE involves buffer overflows in Intel AMT firmware versions, enabling unauthorized code execution.

What is CVE-2017-5711?

The presence of multiple buffer overflows in Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) firmware versions 8.x to 11.20 allows attackers with physical system access to execute arbitrary code with AMT privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5711

The vulnerability permits attackers to exploit buffer overflows in Intel AMT firmware, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5711

This section provides in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Intel AMT firmware versions 8.x to 11.20 allows attackers with physical system access to exploit buffer overflows, enabling the execution of arbitrary code with AMT privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Active Management Technology
Vendor: Intel Corporation
Versions: 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.0, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.10, 11.20

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with physical access to the system can leverage the buffer overflows in Intel AMT firmware versions 8.x to 11.20 to execute arbitrary code with the privileges granted by AMT execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-5711 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Intel promptly.
Implement strict physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to systems.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for employees to raise awareness of physical security risks.

Patching and Updates

Intel has released patches to address the vulnerability in affected AMT firmware versions.