The latest security information on Intel® products.
SINIT misconfiguration allows for Privilege Escalation
| Intel ID | INTEL-SA-00021 |
|---|---|
| Product family | Intel® Trusted Execution Technology |
| Impact of vulnerability | Elevation of Privilege |
| Severity rating | Important |
| Original release | Dec 21, 2009 |
| Last revised | Dec 21, 2009 |
Summary:
An updated SINIT Authenticated Code Module (ACM) is available for affected Intel products to correct a misconfiguration that allows for the circumvention of Intel® Trusted Execution Technology.
Description:
A misconfiguration in SINIT code could potentially allow a malicious attacker to circumvent Intel® Trusted Execution Technology and elevate their privileges. Intel has released an updated SINIT Authenticated Code Module (ACM) to correct this misconfiguration.
Affected products:
Systems with Q35, GM45, PM45 Express, Q45, and Q43 Express chipsets.
Recommendations:
While Intel is not aware of any use of the vulnerabilities described in this advisory, Intel has made an updated SINIT Authenticated Code Module (ACM) available to mitigate this issue. It is highly recommended to apply this updated Authenticated Code Module (ACM).
If you are using a Trusted Execution Technology enabled SW (MLE) that uses SINIT modules: Q35_SINIT_XX.BIN, GM45_GS45_PM45_SINIT_XX.BIN, or Q45_Q43_SINIT_XX.BIN, you are affected Intel has made updated SINIT modules available to mitigate this issue. Please contact your MLE vendor or evaluate your measured launch process to determine if an update is required. Updated SINIT Modules can be obtained from http://sourceforge.net/projects/tboot/files/. The table below shows the SINIT Modules by platform. Refer to the Measured Launched Environment Developers Guide if you have additional questions on SINIT. You can download the Measured Launched Environment Developers Guide at http://download.intel.com/technology/security/downloads/315168.pdf.
Acknowledgements:
Intel would like to thank Alexander Tereshkin, Rafal Wojtczuk, and Joanna Rutkowska from Invisible Things Lab, http://invisiblethingslab.com, for reporting this issue and working with us.
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