CVE-2022-28699 in NUC
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2023
Improper input validation for some Intel(R) NUC BIOS firmware may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28699 represents a critical security flaw within Intel NUC BIOS firmware that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. This weakness specifically affects Intel Next Unit of Computing (NUC) devices which are compact computing platforms designed for various enterprise and consumer applications. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of user inputs within the BIOS firmware layer, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors with local access privileges. The affected systems typically include Intel NUC models that utilize BIOS firmware versions prior to the patched releases, making them susceptible to unauthorized privilege escalation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the BIOS firmware's handling of privileged input parameters that control system-level operations. When a user provides input to certain BIOS functions or configuration interfaces, the firmware fails to properly validate or sanitize the data before processing. This improper validation allows for crafted inputs to bypass normal access controls and potentially manipulate system behavior at the firmware level. The flaw operates at the kernel level of the system's firmware architecture, where legitimate administrative functions are processed without adequate input sanitization. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can occur when input validation is insufficient. The vulnerability's nature aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of local system privileges to gain elevated access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. A privileged user with local access can exploit this weakness to execute malicious code at the firmware level, potentially gaining complete control over the affected system. This capability allows for persistent backdoor establishment, system configuration modification, and data exfiltration from within the trusted computing environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where NUC devices are deployed as edge computing nodes, servers, or workstations, as it could enable attackers to maintain long-term access to critical infrastructure. The local access requirement means that attackers must already have some level of system presence, but this does not significantly reduce the threat since the privilege escalation could be achieved through various initial compromise vectors such as phishing attacks, physical access, or supply chain infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28699 primarily focus on firmware updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should immediately apply the latest BIOS firmware updates provided by Intel to address the input validation deficiencies. The firmware patches typically include enhanced input sanitization routines and improved validation checks for all user-accessible BIOS parameters. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor local system activities for unusual behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation practices should be enforced to limit potential lateral movement if the vulnerability is successfully exploited. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of firmware updates in controlled environments before deployment to production systems. Organizations should also consider implementing firmware integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to BIOS components and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should regularly review system logs for signs of privilege escalation activities and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence regarding similar firmware-based vulnerabilities that could be leveraged in conjunction with this weakness.