CVE-2018-3666 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Intel Smart Sound Technology driver module prior to version 9.21.00.3541 has a vulnerability that could allow a local attacker to execute unauthorized code with administrator privileges.

Understanding CVE-2018-3666

This CVE involves a privilege escalation vulnerability in Intel Smart Sound Technology.

What is CVE-2018-3666?

The driver module in Intel Smart Sound Technology, before version 9.21.00.3541, may allow a local attacker to exploit a non-paged pool overflow, leading to the execution of unauthorized code with administrator privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2018-3666

The vulnerability could potentially enable a local attacker to gain elevated privileges on the affected system, compromising its security.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-3666

Intel Smart Sound Technology vulnerability details.

Vulnerability Description

The driver module in Intel Smart Sound Technology, prior to version 9.21.00.3541, allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with administrator privileges through a non-paged pool overflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Smart Sound Technology
Vendor: Intel Corporation
Versions Affected: Before 9.21.00.3541

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a local attacker to trigger a non-paged pool overflow, leading to the execution of unauthorized code with elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-3666.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary security updates provided by Intel promptly.
Monitor for any signs of unauthorized access or suspicious activities on the system.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and drivers to prevent vulnerabilities.
Implement least privilege access policies to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Intel has released version 9.21.00.3541 to address this vulnerability. Ensure all affected systems are updated to this version or later to mitigate the risk of exploitation.