CVE-2023-31246 in SDP Tool software
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2023
Incorrect default permissions in some Intel(R) SDP Tool software before version 1.4 build 5 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-31246 represents a critical security flaw within Intel's Software Development Platform (SDP) Tool software ecosystem. This issue manifests as incorrect default permissions that persist across multiple versions of the tool prior to the 1.4 build 5 release, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who have already gained authentication access to the system. The vulnerability specifically affects environments where the SDP Tool is deployed, potentially allowing an authenticated user to escalate their privileges through local access mechanisms. This type of privilege escalation vulnerability falls under the category of local privilege escalation as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration framework with CWE-276, which focuses on improper permissions and access control issues that can be exploited by users with legitimate access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the software's failure to properly enforce access controls during its default installation and operational state. When the SDP Tool is installed without proper configuration adjustments, it creates files, directories, or system resources with overly permissive access controls that should typically be restricted to administrative users only. This misconfiguration allows any authenticated user who can interact with the tool's environment to potentially manipulate system resources that should remain protected. The flaw particularly impacts the tool's ability to maintain proper security boundaries between different user contexts, enabling an attacker who has already established a foothold through legitimate authentication to expand their access privileges without requiring additional authentication mechanisms. This behavior aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the T1068 technique for local privilege escalation through weak permissions and improper access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors who have gained initial access to the system through other means. Once an authenticated user can leverage this flaw, they may gain access to sensitive system resources, modify critical software components, or potentially establish persistent access mechanisms within the environment. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicates a fundamental design flaw in the permission management system of the SDP Tool, suggesting that organizations using this software may be exposed to privilege escalation attacks without any immediate patching options. The localized nature of the attack means that exploitation typically requires physical access or network access to the target system, but the impact can be severe as it allows attackers to move laterally within the environment and potentially access more sensitive systems or data that would normally be protected by proper access controls.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Intel SDP Tool version 1.4 build 5 or later, which addresses the default permission configuration issues. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of existing installations to identify and correct any misconfigured permissions that may have already been established. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts and implementing additional access controls beyond the default settings. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege configurations for all users interacting with the SDP Tool and ensure that any default installations are properly configured to prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can detect and respond to potential privilege escalation activities that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.