CVE-2022-29470: Intel DTT Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2022-29470 Overview

CVE-2022-29470 is an improper access control vulnerability affecting Intel® Dynamic Tuning Technology (DTT) Software. This security flaw allows an authenticated local user to potentially escalate their privileges on vulnerable systems running versions prior to 8.7.10400.15482. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the DTT software, enabling attackers who have already gained local access to elevate their permissions beyond their intended authorization level.

Critical Impact

Authenticated local users can exploit improper access controls to gain elevated privileges, potentially achieving full system compromise on affected Intel systems running vulnerable DTT software versions.

Affected Products

• Intel® Dynamic Tuning Technology (DTT) Software versions prior to 8.7.10400.15482
• Intel systems with DTT software deployed for thermal and power management

Discovery Timeline

• 2023-08-11 - CVE-2022-29470 published to NVD
• 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-29470

Vulnerability Analysis

Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology (DTT) is software that provides real-time thermal and power management capabilities for Intel-based systems. The vulnerability exists due to improper access control implementation within the software, which fails to adequately restrict operations that should only be available to privileged users.

When exploited, an authenticated attacker with local access can leverage the insufficient access control mechanisms to perform actions with elevated privileges. This type of privilege escalation vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where attackers may initially compromise a low-privilege account and then use this vulnerability to gain administrative or system-level access.

The local attack vector means the attacker must have some level of authenticated access to the target system before exploitation is possible. However, once local access is obtained, the attack requires low complexity and no user interaction, making it reliable for attackers to execute.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2022-29470 lies in improper access control implementation within Intel DTT Software. The software fails to properly validate user authorization levels before permitting sensitive operations, allowing authenticated users to perform actions beyond their intended privilege scope. This access control weakness enables privilege escalation by not enforcing proper security boundaries between user privilege levels.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, meaning an attacker must have authenticated access to the target system to exploit it. The exploitation path typically involves:

1. The attacker gains initial authenticated access to a system running vulnerable Intel DTT software
2. The attacker identifies the improper access control weakness in the DTT software components
3. By leveraging the insufficient access controls, the attacker executes operations that should require higher privileges
4. Successful exploitation results in privilege escalation, providing the attacker with elevated system access

The attack complexity is low and requires no user interaction, making it a reliable exploitation path once local access is established. Successful exploitation can result in high impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-29470

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected privilege escalation events from low-privileged user accounts
• Unusual process execution patterns from Intel DTT software components
• Suspicious registry or configuration changes related to DTT software
• Anomalous system calls or API usage from DTT-related processes

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for privilege escalation attempts involving Intel DTT software processes
• Implement endpoint detection rules to identify unauthorized access to DTT components
• Track software version inventory to identify systems running vulnerable DTT versions (prior to 8.7.10400.15482)
• Review Windows Event Logs for suspicious activity related to DTT software execution

Monitoring Recommendations

• Deploy SentinelOne agents to monitor for behavioral indicators of privilege escalation
• Configure alerts for unusual DTT process behavior or unexpected privilege changes
• Implement file integrity monitoring on DTT software installation directories
• Review audit logs for authentication events followed by privilege escalation patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-29470

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all systems running Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology software
• Verify current DTT software versions across your environment
• Update vulnerable installations to version 8.7.10400.15482 or later
• Restrict local access to systems where DTT is installed until patching is complete
• Monitor affected systems for signs of exploitation

Patch Information

Intel has released a security update to address this vulnerability. Organizations should update Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology to version 8.7.10400.15482 or later. The official security advisory from Intel is available at Intel Security Advisory SA-00875.

Workarounds

• Restrict local user access to systems running vulnerable DTT software
• Implement application whitelisting to control DTT software execution
• Apply principle of least privilege for all user accounts on affected systems
• Consider temporarily disabling DTT software if not operationally required until patching is completed
• Deploy endpoint protection solutions such as SentinelOne to detect and prevent exploitation attempts

# Configuration example
# Verify Intel DTT software version on Windows systems
wmic product where "name like '%Dynamic Tuning%'" get name,version

# Check for DTT services
sc query | findstr /i "DTT Dynamic Tuning"

# If vulnerable, download and apply updates from Intel
# Reference: Intel Security Advisory SA-00875