CVE-2023-31359 in AIM-T Manageability API
Summary
by MITRE • 05/13/2025
Incorrect default permissions in the AMD Manageability API could allow an attacker to achieve privilege escalation, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-31359 represents a critical security flaw within the AMD Manageability API component that enables unauthorized privilege escalation through improper default permission configurations. This issue specifically affects systems utilizing AMD's manageability features and exposes a fundamental weakness in the permission model that governs access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability stems from the API's default configuration where insufficient access controls are implemented, allowing malicious actors to exploit these loose permissions for unauthorized system access. The AMD Manageability API serves as a critical interface for system administrators to remotely manage and monitor AMD-based systems, but this particular flaw undermines the security posture by creating pathways for unauthorized privilege elevation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the API's failure to properly enforce access controls during default system initialization. When the AMD Manageability API is installed or activated, it creates default permission settings that are overly permissive, allowing local users or attackers with minimal privileges to access system resources that should be restricted to administrative or privileged accounts. This misconfiguration creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by attackers who understand the API's behavior and can leverage the default permissions to escalate their privileges. The flaw operates at the system-level permission model rather than at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous as it affects the underlying operating system access controls rather than just application-specific protections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise through arbitrary code execution capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain elevated privileges that allow them to execute malicious code with system-level permissions, effectively bypassing traditional security controls and access restrictions. This escalation path can lead to complete system compromise where the attacker gains control over the entire machine, potentially accessing sensitive data, installing malware, or using the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within a network. The vulnerability affects systems where the AMD Manageability API is deployed, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until properly patched or mitigated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-31359 should focus on immediate permission configuration adjustments and comprehensive system hardening measures. Organizations should immediately review and tighten the default permissions within the AMD Manageability API configuration, ensuring that access controls are properly enforced and that only authorized users or processes can access the API's functionality. This includes implementing role-based access controls, disabling unnecessary API endpoints, and ensuring that default configurations are updated to enforce stricter permission models. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper permissions for critical resources, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through system configuration weaknesses. System administrators should also monitor for unauthorized access attempts and implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any additional misconfigurations that may exist within the AMD manageability framework or related system components.