CVE-2022-41769 in Connect M App
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2023
Improper access control in the Intel(R) Connect M Android application before version 1.82 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-2022-41769 represents a critical access control flaw within the Intel(R) Connect M Android application ecosystem. This issue affects versions prior to 1.82 and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's permission management system. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of user privileges and inadequate enforcement of access controls, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to exploit the application's security boundaries. The flaw specifically manifests when an authenticated user attempts to leverage local access capabilities to escalate their privileges within the application's operational environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of privilege levels within the application's authentication and authorization framework. When a user successfully authenticates to the Intel Connect M application, the system fails to properly validate whether the user possesses the necessary permissions to execute privileged operations. This weakness allows an authenticated user to potentially manipulate the application's internal state or access restricted functionality that should only be available to administrators or users with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages local access capabilities to bypass traditional network-based security controls that would normally prevent such privilege escalation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network resources managed by the Intel Connect M application. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access network configurations, modify security policies, or gain access to other users' data within the application's scope. This risk is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where the Intel Connect M application serves as a gateway for network management and security operations. The vulnerability also creates potential for lateral movement within the network infrastructure, as the compromised application instance could serve as a foothold for further attacks against connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-41769 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Intel Connect M applications to version 1.82 or later, which includes corrected access control mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of authentication events and privilege escalation attempts within the application environment. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of all systems running affected versions to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and least-privilege access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other applications within their infrastructure.