CVE-2023-27383 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE, assigned by Intel, identifies a protection mechanism failure in certain versions of Intel(R) oneAPI HPC Toolkit 2023.1 and Intel(R) MPI Library software before version 2021.9. The vulnerability may enable a privileged user to potentially escalate privileges through adjacent access.

Understanding CVE-2023-27383

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-27383, discussing what the vulnerability entails and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-27383?

CVE-2023-27383 is classified as an "escalation of privilege" and "Protection mechanism failure" vulnerability as per CWE-693. It affects specific versions of Intel(R) oneAPI HPC Toolkit 2023.1 and Intel(R) MPI Library software before version 2021.9.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27383

The impact of this vulnerability is deemed of medium severity with a CVSS base score of 6.8. It requires high privileges from the user and could lead to the escalation of privileges with adjacent network access. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems are all at risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27383

This section provides a deeper understanding of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Intel(R) oneAPI HPC Toolkit 2023.1 and Intel(R) MPI Library software before version 2021.9 allows a privileged user to potentially escalate their privileges through adjacent access due to a protection mechanism failure.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Intel(R) oneAPI HPC Toolkit 2023.1 and Intel(R) MPI Library software versions before 2021.9. Systems using these versions are susceptible to the privilege escalation issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-27383 involves a high-privileged user leveraging the protection mechanism failure to gain escalated privileges via adjacent access, posing a risk to system security.

Mitigation and Prevention

In order to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-27383, immediate actions, long-term security practices, and patching strategies are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should update the affected Intel(R) oneAPI HPC Toolkit and Intel(R) MPI Library software to version 2021.9 or higher to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
It is recommended to restrict access to privileged functions to only authorized users to reduce the impact of potential privilege escalation incidents.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address weaknesses in software and systems promptly.
Educate users on best security practices, including the importance of securing high-privileged accounts and monitoring system access.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor security advisories from vendors like Intel to stay informed about patches and updates addressing known vulnerabilities.
Deploy security patches and updates in a timely manner to ensure systems are protected against potential threats and exploitation of vulnerabilities.