CVE-2021-33078 : Security Advisory and Response

A race condition within a thread in firmware for some Intel(R) Optane(TM) SSD and Intel(R) SSD DC Products may allow a privileged user to potentially enable denial of service via local access.

Understanding CVE-2021-33078

This CVE highlights a race condition vulnerability in Intel(R) Optane(TM) SSD and Intel(R) SSD DC Products, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2021-33078?

CVE-2021-33078 is a vulnerability in the firmware of certain Intel storage products that can be exploited by a privileged user to trigger a denial of service situation through local access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33078

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for a privileged attacker to disrupt the normal operation of affected Intel(R) Optane(TM) SSD and Intel(R) DC SSD products, leading to a denial of service scenario.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33078

This section delves into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-33078, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to a race condition within a thread in the firmware of Intel(R) Optane(TM) SSD and Intel(R) SSD DC Products, enabling a privileged user to exploit it for denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

The products affected by CVE-2021-33078 include Intel(R) Optane(TM) SSD and Intel(R) SSD DC Products. The specific vulnerable versions can be found in the references.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local access to the affected Intel storage products. A privileged user could potentially trigger a denial of service attack using the race condition in the firmware.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-33078, it is crucial to take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices, including patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately review the provided references to identify affected versions and follow any security recommendations provided by Intel.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates from the vendor, apply patches promptly, and restrict privileged access to minimize the potential impact of vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about firmware updates and security advisories from Intel(R) to address CVE-2021-33078 and other potential vulnerabilities.