CVE-2022-42455 : What You Need to Know

A privilege escalation vulnerability has been identified in the ASUS EC Tool driver (d.sys), as signed by ASUS and distributed with various ASUS software products. This CVE allows local users to elevate their privileges by exploiting multiple IOCTL handlers.

Understanding CVE-2022-42455

This section delves into the details of CVE-2022-42455, outlining the vulnerability and its impact.

What is CVE-2022-42455?

The ASUS EC Tool driver (d.sys) with specific IOCTL handlers allows unprivileged local users to gain escalated privileges through raw read and write access to port I/O and MSRs.

The Impact of CVE-2022-42455

The vulnerability in the ASUS EC Tool driver enables attackers with local access to potentially elevate their privileges on the system, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-42455

This section provides technical insights into CVE-2022-42455, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the IOCTL handlers of the ASUS EC Tool driver, providing unauthorized users with elevated access to port I/O and MSRs through unprivileged IOCTL calls.

Affected Systems and Versions

All systems using the affected version of the ASUS EC Tool driver (d.sys) are at risk of privilege escalation by local users.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the specific IOCTL handlers in the ASUS EC Tool driver, local users can manipulate raw port I/O and MSRs to maliciously gain additional privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2022-42455 involves immediate actions and long-term security practices to ensure comprehensive vulnerability management.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or restrict access to the ASUS EC Tool driver (d.sys) to prevent unauthorized use of IOCTL handlers.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access and restrict potentially harmful operations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update security patches to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system defenses against exploits.
Conduct security training and awareness programs to educate users on safe computing practices and threat awareness.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from ASUS and apply recommended patches promptly to safeguard systems against potential privilege escalation threats.