CVE-2023-32543 in ITS Software
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2023
Incorrect default permissions in the Intel(R) ITS sofware before version 3.1 may allow authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-32543 resides within Intel's Intelligent Traffic Software (ITS) platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.1. This issue represents a critical security flaw that exploits improper default permission settings within the software ecosystem. The vulnerability affects the foundational access control mechanisms that govern how users interact with system resources, creating a pathway for malicious actors to potentially escalate their privileges from standard authenticated user status to elevated administrative access. The software operates within traffic management and smart city infrastructure environments where unauthorized access could have severe operational consequences.
The technical flaw manifests through inadequate default permission configurations that fail to properly enforce least privilege principles. When users authenticate to the system, the software does not adequately restrict their access rights to system resources, particularly those critical to traffic control and data management. This misconfiguration allows authenticated users to access components that should be restricted to administrative or system-level privileges. The vulnerability specifically impacts the software's handling of local access controls, where default permissions are set too broadly, enabling users to manipulate system parameters that should remain protected from standard user interaction. This represents a classic privilege escalation vector where insufficient access control enforcement creates opportunities for unauthorized system manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, particularly within smart city and traffic management environments where the software controls critical infrastructure systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially manipulate traffic light controls, access sensitive traffic data, or disrupt traffic management operations. The local access requirement means that physical or network access to the system is necessary, but once achieved, the privilege escalation could enable comprehensive system control. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of traffic management systems, potentially creating safety hazards and operational disruptions that could affect public infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. The impact is particularly concerning in environments where continuous operation and security are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-32543 primarily focus on updating to Intel ITS software version 3.1 or later, which includes corrected permission handling and proper access control implementations. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected software versions and prioritize immediate remediation efforts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit local access points to the affected systems, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or privilege escalation attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper user access control policies and regularly reviewing permission settings can help minimize the impact of such flaws. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper permissions and access control issues, and represents a significant concern for organizations implementing the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, particularly those targeting local system access and privilege manipulation within infrastructure management systems.