CVE-2024-26017 in Rendering Toolkit Software
Summary
by MITRE • 11/13/2024
Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) Rendering Toolkit software before version 2024.1.0 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-26017 affects Intel(R) Rendering Toolkit software versions prior to 2024.1.0 and represents a significant security weakness categorized under uncontrolled search path exploitation. This flaw resides within the software's path resolution mechanisms and specifically impacts authenticated users who possess local access to systems running vulnerable versions. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of library and executable search paths during software execution, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate the loading process of critical components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insecure path resolution practices where the rendering toolkit fails to properly validate or sanitize the sequence of directories searched when locating required libraries or executables. This weakness allows an authenticated user with local system access to potentially place malicious binaries or libraries in directories that are searched before legitimate system paths, effectively enabling arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. The flaw operates under the broader category of path manipulation vulnerabilities that have been consistently categorized by CWE as CWE-427 and CWE-428, representing uncontrolled search path conditions that can lead to privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2024-26017 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it creates a persistent threat vector for attackers who gain initial authenticated access to systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access and authentication, making it less suitable for remote attacks but still dangerous in environments where insider threats or compromised accounts exist. This weakness can be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where rendering toolkit software is commonly deployed for graphics processing and visualization tasks.
The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques including T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1547.001 for registry run keys and startup folder manipulation. Organizations should consider this weakness in their threat modeling exercises, particularly focusing on systems where the rendering toolkit is deployed with elevated privileges or where users have legitimate local access rights. The security implications are further exacerbated by the fact that this vulnerability affects software components used in professional graphics and visualization environments where system integrity is paramount. The remediation approach should include immediate patching of affected systems to version 2024.1.0 or later, along with comprehensive system audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to patch deployment.
Organizations should implement additional security controls including monitoring for unusual file system activity in directories that are part of the rendering toolkit's search paths, implementing strict access controls for local system accounts, and conducting regular security assessments of graphics rendering environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper path resolution practices in software development and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of system components that handle library loading and execution. Security teams should also consider this weakness in their incident response planning, as exploitation attempts may manifest as unexpected binary execution or unusual process behavior within rendering environments.