CVE-2023-32618 in oneAPI Toolkit and Component Software
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2024
Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) oneAPI Toolkit and component software installers before version 4.3.2 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-32618 represents a critical security flaw within Intel's oneAPI Toolkit and associated component software installers. This issue affects versions prior to 4.3.2 and stems from an uncontrolled search path condition that can be exploited by authenticated users with local system access. The vulnerability resides in the installer's handling of environmental variables and path resolution mechanisms, creating potential attack vectors that could be leveraged for privilege escalation. The flaw demonstrates a classic software security weakness where the installer fails to properly validate or sanitize the search paths used during the installation process, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the installation flow through carefully crafted environmental conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installer's failure to properly control or validate the PATH environment variable and related search path mechanisms during software deployment. When an authenticated user executes the installer with local access, the system may inadvertently load malicious code from a compromised path rather than from the intended legitimate source. This behavior aligns with CWE-427, which specifically addresses uncontrolled search path vulnerabilities where applications fail to properly control the search paths used to locate required libraries or executables. The installer's path resolution logic appears to prioritize user-controlled paths without sufficient validation, creating a scenario where a malicious actor can place a forged executable in a location that gets executed during the installation process.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-32618 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable broader system compromise. An authenticated local user who can manipulate the installation environment can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing standard user permissions. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and represents a common attack pattern where adversaries exploit software flaws to gain higher privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to systems running affected Intel oneAPI software, as it could enable lateral movement and persistent access through privilege escalation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-32618 focus primarily on immediate software updates and operational controls. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Intel oneAPI Toolkit installations to version 4.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the uncontrolled search path vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional operational controls such as monitoring for unusual installation activity and enforcing strict path validation policies. The vulnerability's nature suggests that defensive measures should include restricting user privileges during installation processes and implementing proper access controls for system directories. Security teams should consider implementing automated patch management solutions to ensure rapid deployment of security updates across all affected systems. Additionally, network segmentation and principle of least privilege enforcement can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, as the vulnerability requires local authenticated access to be effective.