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CVE Record

CVE-2021-0117: Pointer issues in the firmware for some Intel(R) Processors may allow a privileged user to potentially enab...

Pointer issues in the firmware for some Intel(R) Processors may allow a privileged user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-0117 is a high-severity Intel processor firmware issue. A local user who already has privileges on an affected system could potentially gain higher privileges. The business urgency depends on whether your hardware and firmware versions match Intel SA-00527 or related vendor guidance.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority firmware exposure assessment, especially for shared infrastructure and systems with local user access. Urgency is lower than a remotely exploitable internet-facing flaw but still material because successful exploitation could compromise system control.

Technical view

The CVE describes pointer issues in firmware for some Intel processors. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8 with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to systems using affected Intel processors and vulnerable firmware. The bundle does not provide exact processor models or firmware versions, so asset validation must use Intel and system vendor references.

Exploitation context

The provided bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates local access with some existing privilege is required, not unauthenticated remote exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is sparse in the provided bundle. The CVE names only “some Intel processors” and points to vendor references for details. Avoid assuming affected models, exploit availability, or remediations beyond vendor firmware guidance.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Intel SA-00527 for affected processor and firmware details.
  • Check OEM server, workstation, and appliance advisories for matching firmware updates.
  • Apply vendor-approved BIOS, firmware, or platform updates where applicable.
  • For NetApp environments, review the NetApp advisory for product-specific exposure.
  • Prioritize systems where untrusted users can run local code.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Intel processor models and firmware or BIOS versions.
  • Map assets against Intel SA-00527 and OEM advisory applicability.
  • Check whether NetApp-managed systems are covered by NTAP-20220210-0007.
  • Confirm firmware updates were installed and recorded in asset management.
  • Reassess systems that allow shared shell, VDI, or local application access.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

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CVE-2021-0117 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-0117Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/aIntel(R) ProcessorsSee referencesListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.