CVE-2022-26345: Intel OpenMP Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2022-26345 Overview

CVE-2022-26345 is an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability affecting Intel oneAPI Toolkit OpenMP before version 2022.1. This vulnerability allows an authenticated user with local access to potentially escalate privileges on the affected system. The flaw exists due to improper handling of search paths, which could allow an attacker to place a malicious library in a location where it will be loaded by the application.

Critical Impact

An authenticated local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Affected Products

• Intel oneAPI Toolkit OpenMP versions prior to 2022.1
• Intel OpenMP runtime library components

Discovery Timeline

• 2023-02-16 - CVE-2022-26345 published to NVD
• 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-26345

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element), which occurs when an application searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources outside of the application's intended control sphere. In the context of Intel oneAPI Toolkit OpenMP, the application fails to properly validate or restrict the paths used when loading dynamic libraries.

The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction to exploit, making it a targeted attack vector rather than a remote exploitation scenario. An attacker must already have authenticated access to the system and must convince a user to trigger the vulnerable code path.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from the OpenMP runtime's handling of library search paths during dynamic library loading operations. When the application searches for required libraries, it does not adequately restrict or validate the search path, allowing an attacker to inject malicious libraries into the search path. This is a common issue in applications that rely on environment variables or working directories for locating dependencies without proper validation.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring an authenticated user on the target system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by:

1. Placing a malicious dynamic library (DLL on Windows, shared object on Linux) in a directory that appears earlier in the search path than the legitimate library location
2. Waiting for or inducing a privileged user to execute an application that uses the vulnerable Intel OpenMP runtime
3. When the OpenMP runtime loads, it searches for required libraries and loads the attacker's malicious library instead of the legitimate one
4. The malicious library code executes with the privileges of the user running the application

This technique is commonly known as DLL hijacking on Windows systems or shared library injection on Unix-like systems. The attack is particularly effective in scenarios where applications are executed from user-writable directories or where environment variables controlling the library search path can be manipulated.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-26345

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected DLL or shared library files appearing in application directories or user-writable paths
• Process execution with unusual library loading patterns from non-standard directories
• Modifications to environment variables such as PATH, LD_LIBRARY_PATH, or LD_PRELOAD
• Suspicious files with names matching Intel OpenMP libraries (e.g., libiomp5.dll, libiomp5.so) in unexpected locations

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system events for creation of DLL/shared object files in user-writable directories that match known Intel OpenMP library names
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized library loading
• Audit process execution logs for applications loading libraries from non-standard paths
• Use endpoint detection tools to identify DLL side-loading or preloading attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for library loading events on critical systems
• Monitor for changes to environment variables that affect library search paths
• Implement file integrity monitoring on directories containing Intel development tools
• Review security logs for privilege escalation attempts following OpenMP-related process execution

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-26345

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Intel oneAPI Toolkit OpenMP to version 2022.1 or later immediately
• Restrict write permissions on directories in the library search path
• Review and harden environment variable configurations on development systems
• Audit systems for unauthorized DLL or shared library files in application directories

Patch Information

Intel has addressed this vulnerability in Intel oneAPI Toolkit OpenMP version 2022.1 and later releases. Organizations should update to the patched version as soon as possible. Detailed information about the security fix is available in the Intel Security Advisory SA-00674.

Workarounds

• Remove write permissions for non-administrative users on directories within the application's library search path
• Configure applications to use absolute paths for library loading where possible
• Implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized libraries
• On Windows systems, consider using Safe DLL Search Mode by setting the SetDllDirectory function appropriately

# Configuration example - Restrict directory permissions on Linux
# Ensure library directories are not user-writable
chmod 755 /opt/intel/oneapi/compiler/latest/linux/compiler/lib/
chown root:root /opt/intel/oneapi/compiler/latest/linux/compiler/lib/

# Set secure library path environment
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/opt/intel/oneapi/compiler/latest/linux/compiler/lib/intel64_lin