Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Intel Distribution for Python 2018 had insecure default install directory permissions in downloads obtained before August 6, 2018. A local low-privileged user could potentially use that weakness to gain higher privileges on the same machine.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted hygiene issue, not an internet-wide emergency. Prioritize shared systems and privileged automation environments because local privilege escalation can turn a limited user account into broader system control.
Technical view
CVE-2018-12175 concerns default installation directory permissions in Intel Distribution for Python 2018. The affected scope is Intel Distribution for Python 2018 downloaded before August 6, 2018. The reported impact is local privilege escalation by an unprivileged user with local access.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to systems that installed Intel Distribution for Python 2018 from packages downloaded before August 6, 2018. The provided sources do not identify other Intel products, remote attack paths, or affected later downloads.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show active exploitation, and the KEV flag is false. The vulnerability requires local access, so risk is highest on shared workstations, build hosts, research systems, and servers where untrusted users can run code.
Researcher notes
Evidence is sparse in the provided bundle: no CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or detailed vendor fix text is included. The key constraints are product, download date, local access requirement, and privilege escalation impact.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory hosts for Intel Distribution for Python 2018 installations.
- Confirm whether installation media was downloaded before August 6, 2018.
- Review Intel advisory INTEL-SA-00181 for vendor-approved remediation.
- Remove or replace affected installations according to Intel guidance.
- Limit local shell access on potentially affected shared systems.
Validation and detection
- Check installed Intel Distribution for Python version and install date.
- Identify package source or download date where records exist.
- Inspect install directory ownership and write permissions.
- Confirm unprivileged users cannot modify trusted installation paths.
- Document affected hosts and remediation decisions.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2018-12175 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00181.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.