CVE-2024-23908 in FPGA Software
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2024
Insecure inherited permissions in some Flexlm License Daemons for Intel(R) FPGA software before version v11.19.5.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23908 affects Intel(R) FPGA software components, specifically the Flexlm License Daemons that manage licensing for Intel FPGA development tools. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the permission model implementation where the license daemon service inherits overly permissive access controls from its parent processes or system configurations. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to v11.19.5.0, indicating that Intel has acknowledged and addressed this weakness in their software lifecycle management. The root cause stems from improper privilege inheritance mechanisms that allow authenticated local users to exploit these inherited permissions for unauthorized access.
The technical flaw manifests through insecure permission inheritance where the Flexlm License Daemon process operates with elevated privileges but fails to properly isolate or restrict its access rights. When an authenticated user gains local access to a system running vulnerable Intel FPGA software, they can leverage these inherited permissions to potentially escalate their privileges beyond what should be permitted. This typically occurs when the daemon process inherits permissions from a parent process that has broader access rights than necessary, creating an attack surface where local privilege escalation becomes possible through manipulation of the inherited permission structure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper permissions and access control issues in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of systems running Intel FPGA development environments. Local attackers with valid credentials can potentially gain elevated system privileges, which may lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the ability to install malicious software. This is particularly concerning in development environments where sensitive intellectual property and proprietary designs reside, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to access or modify critical FPGA design files and development tools. The attack vector requires only local access and authentication, making it relatively accessible compared to remote exploitation methods. This vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-23908 primarily involve updating to Intel FPGA software version v11.19.5.0 or later, which contains the necessary permission inheritance fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as restricting local access to development systems, implementing strict access controls for the Flexlm License Daemon process, and monitoring for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. System administrators should review and tighten permission models for all license management services and ensure that processes run with minimal required privileges rather than inherited elevated permissions. Regular security assessments of development environments and proper system hardening practices including disabling unnecessary services and maintaining updated software versions are essential defensive measures against this class of vulnerability.