CVE-2025-24323 in PCIe Switch Software
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2025
Improper access control in some firmware package and LED mode toggle tool for some Intel(R) PCIe Switch software before version MR4_1.0b1 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2025
This vulnerability resides within the firmware package and LED mode toggle tool components of Intel's PCIe Switch software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to MR4_1.0b1. The issue manifests as an improper access control mechanism that fundamentally undermines the security boundaries designed to protect system integrity. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the software's authorization framework, where legitimate privileged users can potentially exploit the flawed access controls to escalate their privileges locally. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate enforcement of access restrictions that should normally prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions within the firmware management tools. When a privileged user executes commands through the LED mode toggle tool or interacts with the firmware package functionality, the system fails to properly verify whether the user possesses the necessary elevated privileges for specific operations. This weakness creates a pathway where legitimate system administrators or users with baseline privileges can manipulate the software's access control mechanisms to gain higher-level permissions. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of firmware-level operations and user privilege management, exploiting the gap between expected security controls and actual implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to compromise the entire PCIe switch infrastructure. Local access to the affected system provides a direct attack surface where malicious actors can leverage the privilege escalation capability to modify firmware configurations, alter network traffic routing, or gain persistent access to critical system components. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where PCIe switches manage high-value network infrastructure, as it allows attackers to potentially disrupt network operations or establish persistent backdoors. The local nature of the exploit means that physical or network access to the target system is sufficient to attempt the privilege escalation, making it particularly concerning for environments with shared or unsecured physical access.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to versions MR4_1.0b1 or later, which contain the necessary access control fixes. System administrators must also implement additional security measures including regular privilege reviews, monitoring of unusual access patterns, and implementation of network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their PCIe switch deployments and ensure proper access control policies are enforced across all firmware management interfaces to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation attempts.