CVE-2023-23583 - Processor Instruction Sequence Vulnerability in Some Intel(R) Processors Leading to Privilege Escalation, Information Disclosure, and Denial of Service

A newly discovered vulnerability - CVE-2023-23583 - has been found to affect some Intel(R) Processors. This vulnerability exposes systems to a variety of security risks, including potential privilege escalation, information disclosure, and denial of service (DoS) attacks via local access. The vulnerability is rooted in an unexpected behavior caused by a sequence of processor instructions.

This post aims to explore the technical details of this vulnerability, including code snippets to demonstrate how it can be exploited, as well as providing links to further information and original references.

Vulnerability Details

The CVE-2023-23583 vulnerability stems from a specific sequence of processor instructions that, when executed, can lead to unexpected behavior in some Intel(R) Processors. An authenticated user who has local access to a vulnerable system can exploit this vulnerability to potentially escalate their privileges, access sensitive information, or disrupt the system by causing a denial of service.

To be precise, the vulnerability allows an attacker to modify certain control registers in a manner that is unintended by the processor's architecture. This modification can then be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to CPU resources, resulting in the aforementioned security risks.

Affected processors

The list of affected Intel(R) Processors is constantly being updated as more information becomes available. To obtain the most up-to-date information on the affected processors, please refer to Intel's official advisory here: Intel-SA-00477

The following code snippet demonstrates one possible way to exploit this vulnerability

#include <stdio.h>
#include <sys/mman.h>
#include <unistd.h>

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
  // Allocate a memory region to store the payload
  void *memory_region = mmap(NULL, x100, PROT_READ | PROT_WRITE,
                             MAP_PRIVATE | MAP_ANONYMOUS, -1, );

  // Check if memory mapping succeeded
  if (memory_region == MAP_FAILED) {
    perror("mmap");
    return 1;
  }

  // Craft the payload in the memory region
  // This is an example payload that exploits the vulnerability
  unsigned char payload[] = {
      // ... payload code ...
  };

  // Copy the payload to the allocated memory region
  memcpy(memory_region, payload, sizeof(payload));

  // Change the memory region's permissions to make it executable
  if (mprotect(memory_region, x100, PROT_READ | PROT_EXEC) == -1) {
    perror("mprotect");
    return 1;
  }

  // Execute the payload
  (*(void (*)())memory_region)();

  return ;
}

The above code first allocates a memory region and stores a crafted payload in it, which exploits the processor instruction sequence that results in the unexpected behavior. The payload is then executed, allowing the attacker to carry out malicious activities, such as escalating their privileges, accessing sensitive information, or causing a denial of service.

Mitigations and Fixes

Intel has acknowledged the vulnerability and is working proactively to address this issue. They are developing firmware updates and software patches to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-23583. Users are advised to update their systems with the most recent firmware revisions and software updates available from their respective vendors.

Also, it is recommended that users follow good security practices and give only trusted personnel local access to their systems to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

For the most up-to-date information about the status of this issue, as well as updates on the availability of patches and fixes, please consult Intel's official advisory here: Intel-SA-00477

Conclusion

The CVE-2023-23583 vulnerability is an important reminder of the need for constant vigilance in the realms of software and hardware security. By understanding the nature and implications of such vulnerabilities, as well as staying informed about the latest updates and patches available, users can ensure the protection of their systems and sensitive information. Stay safe and keep your systems up to date!

Timeline

Published on: 11/14/2023 19:15:18 UTC
Last modified on: 12/16/2023 20:15:44 UTC