CVE-2022-28693 – Unprotected Alternative Channel of Return Branch Target Prediction in Some Intel(R) Processors: Potential Information Disclosure via Local Access

A newly discovered vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-28693, affects some Intel(R) processors. This vulnerability is related to an unprotected alternative channel of return branch target prediction, allowing an authorized user to potentially enable information disclosure via local access. In this post, we will discuss the details of this vulnerability, including its exploitation and potential implications, along with code snippets, and links to original references.

Exploit Details

The CVE-2022-28693 vulnerability occurs due to an unprotected alternative channel of return branch target prediction in some Intel(R) processors. This issue allows an attacker with local user access to potentially enable information disclosure by exploiting the vulnerability via local access. This can lead to the compromise of sensitive information and the exposure of system internals to the attacker.

The vulnerability is caused by the following factors

1. The processor's return branch target prediction implementation may inadvertently expose certain data to an unauthorized user.
2. There's a lack of proper protection mechanism in place to prevent unauthorized access to this channel.

A possible exploit code snippet demonstrating the behavior of the vulnerability is provided below

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdint.h>

// Function to perform information disclosure via local access
void exploit_function() {
    uint64_t leaked_data;

    // Exploitation code
    // ... (Obtain and manipulate leaked_data)

    printf("Leaked data: x%lx\n", leaked_data);
}

int main() {
    // Call exploit_function to demonstrate vulnerability
    exploit_function();
    return ;
}

This code snippet demonstrates how an attacker might exploit the vulnerability, printing the leaked data after successful exploitation. Note that this is a simplified example, and a real-world exploit code may involve more complex interactions with the system and its data.

Original References & Additional Resources

- Intel Security Advisory - INTEL-SA-00507: This is the official security advisory by Intel regarding the vulnerability, providing essential details about the affected processors and mitigation steps.
- NIST National Vulnerability Database - CVE-2022-28693: This is the entry of CVE-2022-28693 in the National Vulnerability Database. It includes information on the vulnerability's impact, severity, and other related details.

Apply software mitigations provided by operating system vendors.

3. Ensure that the system is running with the latest and most secure versions of essential software components.

Conclusion

The CVE-2022-28693 vulnerability highlights the importance of understanding and securing microarchitectural components in modern processors. By staying informed about these types of vulnerabilities and applying necessary patches and updates, users and organizations can limit their exposure to potential exploits and maintain a more secure computing environment.

Timeline

Published on: 02/14/2025 21:15:13 UTC