CVE-2022-34855 in NUC Pro Software Suite
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2023
Path traversal 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 • 06/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-34855 represents a path traversal flaw within the Intel NUC Pro Software Suite affecting versions prior to 2.0.0.3. This security weakness specifically targets the software suite designed for Intel Next Unit of Computing (NUC) Pro devices, which are compact desktop computers commonly used in enterprise and industrial environments. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize file paths during software operations, creating an exploitable condition that could be leveraged by malicious actors with local access privileges.
The technical implementation of this path traversal vulnerability stems from improper handling of file system operations within the software suite's file management components. When authenticated users interact with certain functions that process file paths, the software fails to adequately validate or sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file system operations. This allows an attacker to manipulate file path references through crafted input sequences that can traverse directory structures beyond the intended scope. The flaw specifically affects the software suite's ability to properly restrict file access within its designated application boundaries, potentially enabling unauthorized file system access and manipulation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations deploying Intel NUC Pro devices in their infrastructure. The path traversal flaw enables authenticated users to potentially escalate privileges from their current access level to higher privilege levels within the system. This escalation capability represents a serious concern as it allows attackers who have gained initial access through legitimate authentication to move laterally within the system and potentially gain administrative control. The local access requirement means that exploitation typically requires physical presence or remote access through other compromised systems, but the privilege escalation aspect makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where physical security is not properly maintained.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal or directory traversal issues in software systems. This classification indicates that the flaw involves the improper restriction of file system access through manipulation of file path references. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1548.001 for abuse of privileges, as attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to execute commands with elevated privileges. The attack chain typically involves initial access through legitimate authentication, followed by exploitation of the path traversal vulnerability to gain elevated system privileges, and subsequently potentially establishing persistence or moving laterally within the network.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Intel NUC Pro Software Suite version 2.0.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also enforce strict access controls and monitor for unusual file system access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit local access to these devices, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file system operations, and conducting regular security assessments to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in the software ecosystem. The patch provided by Intel addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent malicious path manipulation attempts.