CVE-2023-41252 in QAT Software Drivers
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2024
Out-of-bounds read in some Intel(R) QAT software drivers for Windows before version QAT1.7-W-1.11.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41252 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within Intel Quick Assist Technology QAT software drivers for Windows operating systems. This security weakness affects versions prior to QAT1.7-W-1.11.0 and specifically targets the driver components responsible for hardware acceleration tasks. The issue manifests when authenticated users with local access attempt to interact with the affected driver interfaces, potentially triggering memory access violations that could compromise system stability and availability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the driver code. When processing certain data structures or API calls, the driver fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits, allowing malicious or malformed input to access memory locations beyond the intended boundaries. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems. The out-of-bounds read condition occurs during the processing of cryptographic operations or data compression tasks that are typical functions of QAT hardware acceleration, where the driver's memory management routines do not adequately protect against invalid memory access patterns.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk for systems utilizing Intel QAT technology, particularly those deployed in enterprise environments where local access privileges may be more readily available. An authenticated attacker with local system access could exploit this flaw to trigger a denial of service condition, potentially causing the affected driver to crash or become unresponsive. The impact extends beyond simple system instability as the QAT drivers are often integral to network security appliances, database servers, and application servers that rely on hardware acceleration for performance optimization. This vulnerability could be particularly dangerous in environments where continuous availability is critical, as the denial of service could disrupt legitimate cryptographic operations, data processing tasks, or network security functions that depend on QAT acceleration.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires local authentication, making it less severe than remote exploitation scenarios but still concerning for system administrators who must consider the potential for privilege escalation or insider threats. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain under the T1499 technique of Network Denial of Service, where an attacker might use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specific inputs that trigger the boundary checking failure, which can be achieved through controlled API calls or by manipulating driver interfaces that handle cryptographic or compression workloads. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual driver behavior or system crashes that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-41252 primarily focus on updating to the patched versions of Intel QAT software drivers. System administrators should prioritize deploying QAT1.7-W-1.11.0 or later releases that contain the necessary code modifications to address the boundary checking deficiencies. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected QAT drivers and implement proper access controls to limit local authentication privileges where possible. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated drivers in controlled environments to ensure compatibility with existing applications and services that depend on QAT acceleration. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual driver behavior patterns, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential denial of service scenarios involving QAT hardware acceleration components. Organizations using QAT technology should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks that could exploit this vulnerability.