CVE-2023-22444 in NUC
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2023
Improper initialization in some Intel(R) NUC 13 Extreme Compute Element, Intel(R) NUC 13 Extreme Kit, Intel(R) NUC 11 Performance Kit, Intel(R) NUC 11 Performance Mini PC, Intel(R) NUC Compute Element, Intel(R) NUC Laptop Kit, Intel(R) NUC Pro Kit, Intel(R) NUC Pro Board and Intel(R) NUC Pro Mini PC BIOS firmware may allow a privileged user to potentially enable information disclosure via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22444 represents a critical flaw in the firmware initialization process of various Intel NUC devices including the NUC 13 Extreme Compute Element, NUC 11 Performance Kit, and multiple other models. This issue stems from improper initialization routines within the BIOS firmware that govern how system components are configured during boot operations. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the firmware fails to properly initialize certain memory regions or security features, creating potential pathways for information disclosure. The flaw is particularly concerning because it requires only local access and privileged user privileges to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who already have system-level access or can escalate their privileges within the environment. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of firmware security weaknesses that can undermine the fundamental security posture of computing devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the BIOS initialization phase where critical system components fail to be properly configured or secured. When firmware fails to initialize memory regions correctly, it can leave sensitive data exposed or create unintended access pathways that allow information disclosure. The improper initialization may involve failure to properly configure memory protection mechanisms, secure boot components, or other critical firmware elements that should be established during the boot process. Attackers with local privileged access can leverage this flaw to potentially extract sensitive information that should normally be protected by the firmware's security mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates how firmware-level initialization errors can create persistent security weaknesses that affect multiple device models within the same product line. This type of issue is classified under CWE-665 as Improper Initialization and represents a failure in the firmware's security initialization process that can lead to information disclosure and other related security impacts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations deploying Intel NUC devices in enterprise environments where these systems may serve as critical infrastructure components. The requirement for local access and privileged user privileges means that the attack surface is limited to environments where attackers already have some level of system access, but the potential for information disclosure remains substantial. Organizations using these devices may face risks including exposure of system configuration data, firmware version information, or other sensitive metadata that could aid in further attacks. The vulnerability impacts multiple device models within the Intel NUC product line, suggesting a systemic issue in the firmware development or testing processes that affects a broad range of hardware. Security teams must consider the implications of this vulnerability when assessing the overall security posture of their infrastructure, particularly in environments where NUC devices are deployed as edge computing nodes or embedded systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-22444 should focus on firmware updates provided by Intel, which typically address the improper initialization routines that create the vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize applying the latest BIOS firmware updates from Intel to remediate this issue across all affected NUC devices in their inventory. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and privilege management can help reduce the risk of exploitation, as the vulnerability requires local privileged access to be effective. Network segmentation and monitoring of local system activities can provide early detection of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of firmware security testing and proper initialization procedures in embedded systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers the use of local privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing firmware integrity checking mechanisms and regular security assessments of their embedded systems to identify similar initialization flaws that could create persistent security weaknesses in their infrastructure.