CVE-2022-26079 Vulnerability: Understanding the Risk Behind Improper Conditions Check in Intel(R) XMM(TM) 756 Modem Software

A recently discovered vulnerability, tagged as CVE-2022-26079, has been identified in Intel's XMM(TM) 756 Modem software. This vulnerability may allow a privileged user to potentially escalate their privileges via local access. This post will provide an exclusive insight into the vulnerability details, the impact it might have on your system, and what can be done to mitigate it.

Vulnerability Details

CVE-2022-26079 is a security vulnerability that affects some versions of Intel(R) XMM(TM) 756 Modem software before version M2_756_R_01.2146.00. The vulnerability exists due to an improper condition check, which can be exploited by a privileged user to escalate their privileges through local access.

To better understand how this vulnerability works, consider this simple code snippet

bool check_permission() {
    if (user_id == ) { // Check if user is 'root'
        return true;
    }

    // Other permission checks
}

void perform_secure_operation() {
    if (check_permission()) {
        // Perform secure operation
    }
}

In this example, the check_permission() function checks whether the user has the appropriate permissions to perform a secure operation. One might notice that the code above is prone to error due to the misuse of the condition check. If a user can manipulate the user_id variable, they can successfully bypass the check and escalate their privileges, therefore posing a security risk.

Impact of the Vulnerability

This vulnerability can have serious consequences for the affected systems, as it may potentially grant a malicious user unauthorized access and control. The consequences of a successful privilege escalation include, but are not limited to:

Bypassing security restrictions and executing arbitrary code

- Gaining control over the system and/or network

To protect your systems from this vulnerability, we recommend the following mitigation strategies

1. Update the Intel(R) XMM(TM) 756 Modem software: Intel has released a software update (version M2_756_R_01.2146.00) that addresses this vulnerability. It is highly recommended to update your software to the latest version to safeguard against any potential exploitation. You can download the update from Intel's website.

2. Restrict local access: Ensure that only authorized users can access the system where the modem software is running. This will minimize the chance of exploitation by requiring an attacker to first gain access to a privileged user's account.

3. Implement appropriate system hardening and security best practices: This includes implementing strong user authentication and authorization mechanisms, regularly applying security patches, and continuously monitoring the system for unwanted activity.

Conclusion

While the CVE-2022-26079 vulnerability poses a risk to the affected Intel(R) XMM(TM) 756 Modem software, adhering to the above mitigation strategies will greatly reduce the threat it poses. Stay informed about emerging security vulnerabilities by subscribing to vulnerability update feeds, and always prioritize the continuous improvement of your security posture.

Timeline

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