CVE-2024-23980 in Server D50FCP
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2024
Improper buffer restrictions in PlatformPfrDxe driver in UEFI firmware for some Intel(R) Server D50FCP Family products may allow a privileged user to enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23980 resides within the PlatformPfrDxe driver component of UEFI firmware specifically affecting Intel Server D50FCP family products. This represents a critical security weakness that stems from inadequate buffer management practices during firmware execution. The affected driver operates at the lowest level of system firmware, directly interfacing with hardware components and system resources during the boot process and runtime operations. The improper buffer restrictions manifest as insufficient validation of input parameters and memory boundaries, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who possess local access privileges to the affected systems.
The technical flaw constitutes a buffer overflow vulnerability that occurs when the PlatformPfrDxe driver fails to properly validate or constrain buffer sizes during memory operations. This weakness allows an authenticated user with local access to manipulate memory regions beyond their intended boundaries, potentially overwriting critical system data structures or executable code segments. The vulnerability specifically impacts the driver's handling of user-supplied data or configuration parameters that are processed during firmware operations. When such data exceeds predetermined buffer limits without proper bounds checking, the system may experience memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The attack vector requires local system access, meaning the attacker must already possess legitimate credentials or physical access to the target server.
The operational impact of this privilege escalation vulnerability extends beyond simple local code execution to potentially compromise entire server environments. Once successfully exploited, the malicious actor could gain elevated privileges within the UEFI firmware context, enabling them to modify system boot processes, install rootkits, or manipulate firmware settings that persist across reboots. This level of access undermines the fundamental security model of UEFI firmware, which is designed to provide a secure foundation for system boot operations. The vulnerability affects Intel Server D50FCP family products, which are typically deployed in enterprise data centers where maintaining system integrity and security is paramount. The long-term implications include potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-122, heap-based buffer overflow conditions where the buffer is allocated on the heap.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-23980 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Intel, as these patches will contain the necessary fixes to address the buffer restriction issues within the PlatformPfrDxe driver. Organizations must implement comprehensive vulnerability management procedures to ensure timely deployment of firmware updates across their server infrastructure. Additional defensive measures include implementing robust access controls to limit local system access, monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintaining detailed system logs for forensic analysis. The mitigation approach should align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, particularly T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1566 for social engineering tactics. Network segmentation and least privilege access models should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing firmware integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to UEFI firmware components. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of server firmware configurations will help identify additional vulnerabilities that may exist within the broader system architecture.