CVE-2022-26045: Vulnerability in Intel(R) XMM(TM) 756 Modem Software – Exploit Details, Patches, and Mitigations

Security researchers have recently discovered a critical vulnerability in certain versions of Intel(R) XMM(TM) 756 Modem software. CVE-2022-26045, as it is now known, may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via physical access to affected devices. This blog post aims to delve deeper into the nature of this vulnerability, provide code snippets for better understanding, highlight original references, and discuss possible exploit details and mitigation options.

The Vulnerability (CVE-2022-26045)

CVE-2022-26045 refers to an "Improper Buffer Restrictions" flaw found in some Intel(R) XMM(TM) 756 Modem software before version M2_756_R_01.2146.00. As a result of this vulnerability, a privileged user with physical access can potentially exploit this weakness to escalate privileges and, consequently, execute unintended operations and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information on affected devices.

Code Snippet

The improper buffer restrictions flaw may seem complicated, but with a code snippet, it's easier to understand how the vulnerability could be exploited. Consider the following C code representing a simplified version of an affected part of the modem software:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>

void secure_function() {
  char buffer[256];
  fgets(buffer, sizeof(buffer), stdin);
  process_data(buffer);
}

int main() {
  printf("Enter your data:\n");
  secure_function();
  return ;
}

In the code above, the fgets function reads user data into the buffer. However, the function does not properly restrict the size of the input, potentially allowing a privileged attacker to overflow the buffer and execute malicious code.

Exploit Details

To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker with physical access would need to create a specially crafted payload designed to overflow the buffer and execute malicious code. This process would require knowledge of the target system's memory layout and the ability to inject the payload into the target process.

One possible approach, for instance, would be to craft an input string longer than the buffer size, followed by some malicious code to be executed when the buffer overflows. An example of a crafted exploit input could look like this:

sh<br>

Here, "A" represents padding to fill the buffer, and "B" could represent malicious code or memory addresses to hijack the process execution flow.

Original References

The vulnerability was documented and reported by Intel Corporation in their official security advisory. For more information, please refer to the following links:

- Intel Security Advisory
- CVE-2022-26045 in National Vulnerability Database

Mitigation and Patches

The most effective way to mitigate this vulnerability is by updating the affected software to the latest version (M2_756_R_01.2146.00 or later), which contains a patch addressing the improper buffer restrictions flaw. Device manufacturers using the Intel(R) XMM(TM) 756 Modem software should apply the necessary patches and release updates to their customers.

As an end-user, always keep your device's firmware updated to the latest version provided by the manufacturer.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-26045 is a critical vulnerability that affects certain versions of Intel(R) XMM(TM) 756 Modem software. End-users and device manufacturers should treat this issue with urgency and apply appropriate patches or updates to mitigate any risk of exploitation. By understanding the nature of the vulnerability and staying informed about updates and mitigations, we can all contribute to a more secure digital environment.

Timeline

Published on: 11/11/2022 16:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/16/2022 18:16:00 UTC