CVE-2023-40071 in GPA Software
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2024
Improper access control in some Intel(R) GPA software installers before version 2023.3 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-40071 represents a critical access control flaw within Intel Graphics Performance Analyzer (GPA) software installers prior to version 2023.3. This issue affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms implemented during the installation process, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems where the installer lacks proper validation of user permissions and access rights, allowing authenticated users to exploit the installer's behavior to gain elevated privileges. The flaw exists in the installer component of Intel GPA software, which is commonly used for graphics performance analysis and optimization in development environments. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where development tools are frequently installed and updated across multiple systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control checks within the installer's code execution flow. When the installer runs with elevated privileges to perform system-level modifications, it fails to properly validate whether the executing user possesses appropriate authorization levels. This misconfiguration allows authenticated users who may not have administrative rights to potentially manipulate the installation process or exploit the installer's behavior to elevate their privileges. The flaw essentially creates a situation where the installer's privilege escalation mechanisms are not properly bounded by access control policies. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284 which describes improper access control, specifically focusing on inadequate authorization checks during software installation processes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations deploying Intel GPA software in development and testing environments. Attackers with low-privileged user accounts could potentially leverage this flaw to gain administrative access to systems, enabling them to install malicious software, modify system configurations, or access sensitive data. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise as it could facilitate lateral movement within networks where development tools are commonly deployed. Security teams must consider the potential for this vulnerability to be exploited as part of broader attack campaigns targeting development environments. The local access requirement means that exploitation is limited to systems where the user already has some level of access, but this still represents a significant escalation opportunity. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1547.001 which addresses 'Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder' - both of which are relevant to how privilege escalation might occur through installer manipulation.
Organizations should immediately update their Intel GPA installations to version 2023.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the software and ensure timely patch deployment. Additional mitigations include implementing strict access controls for development environments, limiting user accounts to non-administrative privileges where possible, and monitoring installation activities for suspicious behavior. Security monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual installer activities or privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in software installation processes, particularly for tools that operate with elevated privileges during deployment. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict installation of unauthorized software components that may exploit similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of development toolchains are essential to identify and remediate such access control weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.