CVE-2022-34848 in NUC Pro Software Suite
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2023
Uncontrolled search path for the Intel(R) NUC Pro Software Suite before version 2.0.0.3 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-34848 represents a critical security flaw within the Intel NUC Pro Software Suite affecting versions prior to 2.0.0.3. This issue stems from an uncontrolled search path that allows authenticated users with local access to potentially escalate their privileges. The vulnerability specifically impacts the software suite designed for Intel NUC Pro devices, which are compact computing platforms commonly used in enterprise and industrial environments where security controls are paramount. The flaw resides in how the software handles path resolution during execution, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate the system's execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and path handling within the software suite's runtime environment. When the application executes, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the search paths used to locate required libraries or executables, creating a condition where an attacker can inject malicious code into the execution path. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path, which specifically addresses situations where applications use search paths that can be manipulated by attackers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local authentication, meaning that any user with legitimate access to the system can potentially exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire system integrity and availability. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain root or administrator level access to the NUC Pro device, enabling them to modify system configurations, install persistent backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data. This risk is amplified in enterprise environments where NUC Pro devices may serve as critical infrastructure components or edge computing nodes. The vulnerability's local access requirement means that physical or network-based compromise of a single user account could lead to complete system takeover, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited security monitoring capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-34848 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 2.0.0.3 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the uncontrolled search path issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures specifically targeting Intel NUC Pro Software Suite installations across their network infrastructure. Additionally, security hardening measures including restricted user privileges, implementation of least privilege principles, and enhanced monitoring of system access patterns can help reduce the potential impact of exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be categorized under T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, making it a critical concern for organizations implementing defensive security measures against advanced persistent threats.