CVE-2024-24853 in Processor
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2024
Incorrect behavior order in transition between executive monitor and SMI transfer monitor (STM) in some Intel(R) Processor may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-24853 resides within the intricate transition mechanisms of Intel processors, specifically concerning the executive monitor and SMI transfer monitor components. This flaw manifests in the incorrect ordering of behavioral sequences during state transitions between these critical system monitoring entities. The executive monitor serves as a foundational security layer responsible for maintaining system integrity and enforcing access controls, while the SMI transfer monitor handles system management interrupts that require immediate attention. The improper sequencing of operations during this transition phase creates a potential exploit vector that could be leveraged by malicious actors with existing privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the processor's microcode handling of system management interrupts and the associated state management protocols. When transitioning from executive monitor to SMI transfer monitor, the processor fails to properly sequence certain critical operations that should occur in a specific temporal order. This misordering can result in inconsistent system states where security boundaries may be temporarily compromised. The flaw specifically affects processors that implement the SMI handling mechanism, particularly those that utilize the STM as part of their security architecture. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-691 as an Insufficient Control Flow Management, which directly relates to improper handling of state transitions in security-critical components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to system security as it enables privilege escalation through local access. While the attack requires an existing privileged user context, the implications are severe because the flaw allows for potential elevation of privileges beyond what would normally be permitted. The local access requirement means that an attacker must already have some level of system access, but once exploited, the vulnerability could provide access to higher-privilege system resources or capabilities. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users may have varying levels of access, as it could potentially be used to gain unauthorized administrative privileges.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-24853 primarily focus on firmware updates provided by Intel, which address the incorrect behavior order in the transition sequences. System administrators should implement immediate firmware patches to resolve the issue, as these updates specifically target the microcode level implementation of the SMI transfer monitor transitions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring and logging of system management interrupts to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and defense evasion, as it could be used to bypass security controls and maintain persistent access. Organizations should also review their access control policies to ensure that local privilege escalation opportunities are properly restricted and monitored, as the vulnerability essentially creates a pathway for unauthorized privilege elevation that could be exploited to gain system administrator access or other high-privilege capabilities.