CVE-2019-0171 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Intel(R) Quartus(R) software installer vulnerability allows for privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2019-0171

The vulnerability in Intel(R) Quartus(R) software installer could permit an authenticated user to gain elevated privileges through local access.

What is CVE-2019-0171?

The installer for Intel(R) Quartus(R) software may have directory permissions that are not set properly, potentially leading to an authenticated user gaining elevated privileges through local access.

The Impact of CVE-2019-0171

The vulnerability could allow an attacker to escalate privileges on the system, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-0171

The following are technical details of the CVE-2019-0171 vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper directory permissions in the Intel(R) Quartus(R) software installer.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Intel(R) Quartus(R)
Versions: Intel(R) Quartus(R) Prime all versions 15.1 to 18.1, and Intel(R) Quartus(R) II versions 9.1 to 15.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by an authenticated user to escalate their privileges through local access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2019-0171 vulnerability:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Intel.
Restrict access to the vulnerable installer to authorized personnel only.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address security vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.
Conduct security training for users to raise awareness of potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Intel has released patches to address the vulnerability; ensure all affected systems are updated with the latest security fixes.