CVE-2023-32277 in QAT Software
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2025
Untrusted Pointer Dereference in I/O subsystem for some Intel(R) QAT software before version 2.0.5 may allow authenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via local operating system access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-32277 represents a critical untrusted pointer dereference flaw within the Intel Quick Assist Technology I/O subsystem. This weakness affects Intel QAT software versions prior to 2.0.5 and stems from improper validation of pointer inputs within the kernel-level I/O processing components. The vulnerability manifests when authenticated users with local operating system access attempt to manipulate pointer references during I/O operations, potentially leading to unauthorized information disclosure. The root cause aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system resources and sensitive data. The flaw exists in the software's memory management routines where input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious pointer manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for privilege escalation and system compromise. An authenticated local user can exploit this weakness to traverse memory boundaries and access data that should remain protected, including potentially sensitive kernel memory regions and user credentials stored in system buffers. The attack vector requires local system access but does not necessitate elevated privileges initially, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may have legitimate access to system resources. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' and T1005 which addresses 'Data from Local System', demonstrating how this flaw can be leveraged to extract sensitive information from compromised systems. The I/O subsystem's handling of untrusted data inputs creates a window of opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory references and potentially execute arbitrary code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-32277 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Intel QAT software version 2.0.5 or later, which includes patched pointer validation routines and enhanced input sanitization. System administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor local user activities for suspicious pointer manipulation patterns. Additional defensive measures include enabling kernel address space layout randomization, implementing strict memory protection policies, and conducting regular security audits of I/O subsystem components. The vulnerability's classification as a local information disclosure issue makes it particularly important to maintain least privilege principles and ensure that only authorized users have local system access. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts, while security teams should monitor for any reported exploitation attempts targeting this specific weakness in QAT implementations across enterprise environments.