CVE-2023-38541 in HID Event Filter Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2024
Insecure inherited permissions in some Intel HID Event Filter drivers for Windows 10 for some Intel NUC laptop software installers before version 2.2.2.1 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38541 affects Intel HID Event Filter drivers installed on Windows 10 systems, particularly those found on Intel NUC laptops. This issue stems from insecure inherited permissions within the driver software, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that could be exploited by authenticated local users. The vulnerability specifically impacts software installers prior to version 2.2.2.1, indicating that the flaw exists in the permission model implementation within the driver's installation and runtime components.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access control mechanisms within the Intel HID Event Filter driver architecture. When the driver components are installed, they inherit permissions that are overly permissive for the specific security context required. This inheritance allows local authenticated users to manipulate driver components or associated registry entries that should normally be restricted to administrative privileges. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient privilege separation where the driver's security model fails to properly isolate its components from user-level access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems running affected Intel NUC software versions. An authenticated local user who gains access to the system can potentially leverage this weakness to execute code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing standard user restrictions. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it could enable attackers to modify system-critical components, install malicious software, or potentially gain persistence within the affected system. The local access requirement means that physical or remote access to the system is necessary, but once achieved, the attack vector becomes particularly dangerous due to the potential for system compromise.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper permissions and access control issues, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation. Organizations should prioritize updating to Intel NUC software version 2.2.2.1 or later, which contains the necessary permission fixes. Additional mitigations include implementing least privilege principles for user accounts, monitoring for unauthorized driver modifications, and conducting regular security assessments of system components. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary driver components and ensuring that only authorized personnel have local access to affected systems. The fix addresses the root cause by properly configuring permission inheritance for driver components and ensuring that access controls align with the principle of least privilege, thereby preventing unauthorized elevation of privileges through local system access.