CVE-2023-22444 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record was published on August 11, 2023, by Intel, affecting multiple Intel products due to improper initialization, potentially leading to information disclosure for privileged users via local access.

Understanding CVE-2023-22444

This section will delve into what CVE-2023-22444 is and its impact, along with technical details and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2023-22444?

CVE-2023-22444 is a vulnerability that arises from improper initialization in specific Intel products, allowing privileged users to potentially access confidential information through local access.

The Impact of CVE-2023-22444

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM severity according to the CVSS score, with a base score of 6. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality of the system, potentially leading to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-22444

In this section, we will discuss the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Intel(R) NUC products arises from improper initialization in the BIOS firmware, which could enable a privileged user to disclose sensitive information locally.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Intel products are affected by CVE-2023-22444:

Intel(R) NUC 13 Extreme Compute Element
Intel(R) NUC 13 Extreme Kit
Intel(R) NUC 11 Performance Kit
Intel(R) NUC 11 Performance Mini PC
Intel(R) NUC Compute Element
Intel(R) NUC Laptop Kit
Intel(R) NUC Pro Kit
Intel(R) NUC Pro Board
Intel(R) NUC Pro Mini PC BIOS firmware

The specific affected versions are detailed in the references provided.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability requires a privileged user to have local access to potentially exploit the improper initialization in the Intel(R) NUC products and disclose sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section covers immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates for CVE-2023-22444.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is crucial to restrict access to privileged accounts and ensure that only authorized personnel can access and modify BIOS firmware in the affected Intel products.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing regular security audits, monitoring privileged user activities, and enforcing strong access controls can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Intel may release patches or updates to address CVE-2023-22444. Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly to mitigate the risk of information disclosure through improper initialization in the affected Intel products.