CVE-2023-34438 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed analysis of CVE-2023-34438, a vulnerability in Intel(R) NUC BIOS firmware that could lead to an escalation of privilege through a race condition exploit.

Understanding CVE-2023-34438

CVE-2023-34438 is a security vulnerability found in some Intel(R) NUC BIOS firmware that could potentially allow a privileged user to enable escalation of privilege via local access.

What is CVE-2023-34438?

The CVE-2023-34438 vulnerability involves a race condition in specific Intel(R) NUC BIOS firmware, which may be exploited by an attacker to escalate their privileges on the system. This can lead to unauthorized access and malicious activities.

The Impact of CVE-2023-34438

The impact of CVE-2023-34438 is rated as HIGH, with a base severity score of 7.5 (CVSS V3.1). It affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, posing a significant security risk to affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-34438

In-depth technical information about the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a race condition in the Intel(R) NUC BIOS firmware, allowing a privileged user to exploit it for privilege escalation, ultimately compromising the security of the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Intel(R) NUC BIOS firmware is affected by this vulnerability. The specific affected versions are not provided, and users are advised to refer to the references for more information.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-34438 involves leveraging the race condition in the Intel(R) NUC BIOS firmware through local access, enabling a privileged user to escalate their privileges on the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Effective steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-34438 vulnerability and prevent potential security risks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should apply security patches and updates provided by Intel for the affected BIOS firmware to remediate the vulnerability promptly.
Limiting physical access to systems running the vulnerable firmware can also reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong access controls and privileged user management practices can help prevent unauthorized users from exploiting vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-34438.
Regular security assessments and firmware updates are essential to maintaining a secure system environment.

Patching and Updates

Intel may release security advisories and patches addressing CVE-2023-34438. Users are strongly advised to monitor official Intel resources for updates and apply patches as soon as they are available.