CVE-2022-25841 in Datacenter Group Event App
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2022
Uncontrolled search path elements in the Intel(R) Datacenter Group Event Android application, all versions, may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25841 resides within the Intel(R) Datacenter Group Event Android application, affecting all versions of this software component. This issue represents a classic example of uncontrolled search path elements, a weakness that has been consistently documented in the CWE database under category 427. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the search paths used during component loading, creating a potential attack vector for privilege escalation. The flaw specifically impacts authenticated users who possess local access to the affected system, making it particularly concerning in environments where administrative privileges might be compromised through social engineering or other means.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly restrict or validate the paths used when searching for required libraries or components. When an application loads external dependencies without adequate path validation, it becomes susceptible to path manipulation attacks where malicious actors can place malicious code in directories that the application searches. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level where the application has elevated privileges, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the application itself. The vulnerability's classification aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the PATH environment variable manipulation and component loading vulnerabilities.
Operational impact assessment reveals that this vulnerability could enable a determined attacker with local access to escalate privileges on the affected Android device. The authenticated nature of the exploit requirement means that initial access might be gained through legitimate user credentials or by compromising an existing user session. Once exploited, the privilege escalation could allow attackers to gain root access to the device, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The implications extend beyond individual device security to enterprise environments where these applications might be deployed across datacenter monitoring systems, creating potential attack vectors for lateral movement and persistent access within network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25841 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Intel Datacenter Group Event application, as this represents the most direct solution to address the vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict application whitelisting policies that restrict which components can be loaded from specific directories and establish robust path validation mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that detect anomalous library loading patterns and unusual privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to defense-in-depth approaches where multiple layers of security controls work together to prevent exploitation. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar uncontrolled search path elements in other applications, as this represents a widespread class of vulnerabilities that could affect various system components.