CVE-2024-21960 in Optimizing CPU Libraries
Summary
by MITRE • 05/13/2025
Incorrect default permissions in the AMD Optimizing CPU Libraries (AOCL) installation directory could allow an attacker to achieve privilege escalation potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-21960 resides within the AMD Optimizing CPU Libraries (AOCL) installation directory where improper default permissions have been configured. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of systems utilizing AMD's optimized computational libraries. The AOCL framework is designed to accelerate mathematical and scientific computing operations through optimized CPU instructions and parallel processing capabilities, making it a valuable component in high-performance computing environments. However, the misconfigured permissions create an exploitable condition that could be leveraged by malicious actors to gain elevated privileges within the affected system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the installation process failing to properly set restrictive file permissions for critical directories and executables within the AOCL framework. Specifically, default permissions are configured in a manner that allows unauthorized users to modify or execute sensitive components within the installation directory. This misconfiguration creates a privilege escalation vector where a low-privilege attacker could potentially manipulate the library files to inject malicious code or modify existing functionality. The flaw operates at the file system level and directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control enforcement. According to CWE-732, this vulnerability maps to improper permission settings that allow unintended access to system resources, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques through permissions manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise through arbitrary code execution. When an attacker successfully exploits this weakness, they can execute malicious payloads with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system control. This risk is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where AOCL libraries are commonly deployed for scientific computing, machine learning, and data processing workloads. The vulnerability affects systems where AOCL is installed with default settings, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until properly addressed through configuration updates or patching measures. Organizations utilizing high-performance computing clusters, data centers, or research computing environments may find this vulnerability particularly dangerous due to the elevated privileges often required for AOCL operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-21960 should prioritize immediate remediation through proper permission configuration of the AOCL installation directories. System administrators should verify and restrict file permissions to ensure that only authorized users and processes can modify critical library components. The recommended approach involves implementing restrictive access controls using standard file system permission models such as chmod and chown commands to ensure that library files are accessible only to legitimate system users with appropriate authorization levels. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to library directories and establish regular security audits to validate proper permission settings. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which focuses on privilege escalation through local system permissions, making it essential for security teams to implement layered defenses including access control policies, regular permission reviews, and comprehensive system hardening procedures. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege enforcement and regularly updating their AOCL installations to ensure they benefit from the latest security configurations and patches provided by AMD.