CVE-2024-23974 in ISH Software Installer
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2024
Incorrect default permissions in some Intel(R) ISH software installers may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23974 resides within Intel(R) ISH software installers and represents a critical security flaw related to improper default permissions configuration. This issue affects the installation process of Intel Integrated Sensor Hub software, which serves as a bridge between hardware sensors and the operating system. The vulnerability stems from the installer's failure to properly enforce restrictive access controls during the installation phase, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when the installer establishes default file and directory permissions that are overly permissive for sensitive system components. This misconfiguration allows authenticated users to manipulate or access resources that should remain restricted to system administrators or privileged processes. The vulnerability specifically targets the installation directory and associated files where the ISH software components are deployed, creating a scenario where local users can potentially modify critical system files or execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where multiple users share systems or where security boundaries are not strictly enforced. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can potentially enable attackers to gain persistent access to systems, modify sensor data, or interfere with hardware functionality. The local access requirement means that an attacker must first authenticate to the system, but once inside, they can leverage this flaw to elevate their privileges and potentially compromise the entire system.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the Intel ISH software, reviewing and hardening default installation permissions, and conducting thorough security audits of installed components. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized changes to installation directories and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to modify these critical system components. The risk assessment should include evaluation of existing sensor hub configurations and implementation of least privilege principles for all system components.