CVE-2023-23910 in Trace Analyzer and Collector
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2023
Out-of-bounds write for some Intel(R) Trace Analyzer and Collector software before version 2021.8.0 published Dec 2022 may allow an authenticated user to potentially escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-23910 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within Intel(R) Trace Analyzer and Collector software versions prior to 2021.8.0. This security weakness specifically affects the trace analysis and collection capabilities that Intel provides for developers and system administrators working with performance monitoring and debugging applications. The vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be exploited by authenticated users with local access to the system where the software is installed. The flaw stems from improper bounds checking during memory operations within the software's processing routines for trace data handling and analysis. Such out-of-bounds write conditions are particularly dangerous because they can lead to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation when exploited effectively.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions that occur when a program writes data past the end of a buffer or array. In the context of Intel Trace Analyzer and Collector, this issue likely occurs during the processing of trace files or real-time data streams where the software fails to properly validate the size or boundaries of allocated memory regions. The authenticated local access requirement means that an attacker must already have legitimate user credentials on the target system, but once inside, they can leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges. This particular attack vector falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and specifically addresses how adversaries can use software vulnerabilities to increase their access level.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it affects the integrity and availability of systems running vulnerable versions of Intel Trace Analyzer and Collector. Organizations using these tools for performance analysis, debugging, or system monitoring face potential compromise when the software is installed on their systems. The vulnerability particularly threatens development environments, performance testing labs, and any infrastructure where trace collection and analysis is performed. Given that the software is designed for system-level debugging and performance monitoring, the potential for exploitation is significant as these tools often require elevated privileges to function properly. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it only requires local authentication, making it accessible to anyone with legitimate user access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-23910 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Intel Trace Analyzer and Collector installations to version 2021.8.0 or later. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all instances of the vulnerable software across their infrastructure, particularly in development, testing, and production environments. Additional defensive measures include implementing least privilege principles for users who have access to systems running this software, monitoring for unusual process behavior or memory access patterns, and applying network segmentation to limit local access where possible. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current software versions and following vendor security advisories. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for privilege escalation attempts and ensure that system updates are applied promptly to address similar vulnerabilities in the future. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of keeping performance analysis and debugging tools updated, as these utilities often run with elevated privileges and can become attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to systems.