CVE-2024-26022 in UEFI Integrator Tools on Aptio V for Intel NUC
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2024
Improper access control in some Intel(R) UEFI Integrator Tools on Aptio V for Intel(R) NUC may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-26022 represents a critical access control flaw within Intel's UEFI Integrator Tools running on Aptio V firmware for Intel NUC devices. This issue affects the fundamental security architecture of these systems by permitting authenticated users to potentially escalate their privileges through local access mechanisms. The flaw resides in the improper implementation of access control measures within the UEFI environment, which serves as the foundational firmware layer for system boot and initialization processes. UEFI firmware operates at a privileged level, controlling hardware initialization and system security policies, making any access control weaknesses particularly dangerous.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege separation and authentication checks within the UEFI Integrator Tools component. When an authenticated user accesses the system locally, the system fails to properly validate whether the user should have elevated privileges or access to sensitive firmware functions. This misconfiguration allows an attacker who has already gained local authentication access to potentially leverage this weakness to execute unauthorized privileged operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems where the Aptio V UEFI firmware is utilized, which is commonly found in Intel NUC (Next Unit of Computing) devices that serve as compact computing platforms for various enterprise and consumer applications. The flaw demonstrates poor adherence to security principles where the system should enforce strict access controls and privilege boundaries, particularly within the firmware layer where system-level operations occur.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise the entire system integrity and security posture. An attacker with local access could leverage this weakness to modify firmware settings, install malicious boot loaders, or gain persistent access to the system through firmware-level modifications. This represents a significant threat because UEFI firmware operates before the operating system loads, making it a prime target for rootkit development and persistent malware deployment. The vulnerability affects the core security model of Intel NUC devices, potentially allowing attackers to bypass traditional operating system security controls and establish footholds that persist across system reboots. Given that NUC devices are often deployed in enterprise environments, this weakness could enable attackers to compromise multiple systems within an organization, particularly if the devices are not properly secured at the physical level.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-26022 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should prioritize applying firmware updates from Intel as soon as they become available, which typically address the improper access control implementation in the UEFI Integrator Tools. Physical security measures, including securing access to NUC devices and implementing proper network segmentation, can help limit the attack surface. The implementation of secure boot policies and UEFI firmware lockdown features should be enabled to prevent unauthorized modifications to the firmware environment. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on local access events and unusual firmware modification activities. System administrators should also consider implementing additional authentication layers and privilege management controls to reduce the potential impact if the vulnerability is exploited. Regular security assessments of firmware components and continuous monitoring of security advisories from Intel are essential for maintaining system security posture against such low-level vulnerabilities that can have widespread consequences.