CVE-2023-38566 in ISPC software
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2024
Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) ISPC software before version 1.21.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38566 represents a critical security flaw within Intel Integrated Performance Primitives Compiler (ISPC) software versions prior to 1.21.0. This issue manifests as an uncontrolled search path that can be exploited by authenticated users with local access to potentially escalate their privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of library search paths during software execution, creating opportunities for malicious code injection and privilege escalation.
This vulnerability falls under the category of path manipulation and library loading issues, which are commonly classified under CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Elements and CWE-428 Imprecise Pointers. The flaw occurs when the ISPC compiler fails to properly validate or sanitize the library search paths used during execution, allowing attackers to manipulate the dynamic linker's behavior. When an authenticated user executes the vulnerable software, the system may load malicious libraries from unintended locations, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it requires only local access and authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share systems or where privilege escalation opportunities exist. An attacker with standard user privileges could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain administrative or root-level access to the system. The local access requirement means that the vulnerability cannot be exploited remotely, but it does pose a substantial risk in scenarios where attackers have already established a foothold on a target system through other means.
The attack vector for CVE-2023-38566 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation through the use of local system access to exploit software vulnerabilities. The vulnerability exists in the software execution context where the ISPC compiler is invoked, and the exploitation typically involves placing malicious libraries in directories that are searched before legitimate system libraries. This technique follows the pattern of DLL injection or library hijacking commonly observed in privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability affects systems where Intel ISPC is installed and used, particularly in development environments where the compiler is frequently executed with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to Intel ISPC version 1.21.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the uncontrolled search path issue. Organizations should also implement proper library path validation and sanitization practices, ensuring that system libraries are loaded from secure and trusted locations. Additional defensive measures include restricting write permissions to directories in the library search path, implementing application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular security audits of installed software components. System administrators should also monitor for unauthorized library installations and maintain up-to-date vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other software components that may be susceptible to the same class of vulnerabilities.