CVE-2023-22329 Overview
CVE-2023-22329 is an improper input validation vulnerability in the BIOS firmware for a wide range of Intel processors. An authenticated user with adjacent network access can exploit this flaw to potentially cause a denial of service condition. The vulnerability affects numerous Intel processor families spanning from entry-level Celeron and Pentium chips to high-performance Core i9 processors across multiple generations.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with adjacent network access can trigger denial of service conditions on affected Intel-based systems by exploiting improper input validation in the BIOS firmware.
Affected Products
- Intel Atom X6200FE, X6211E, X6212RE, X6413E, X6414RE, X6425E, X6425RE, X6427FE Processors and Firmware
- Intel Celeron Processor Family (Multiple generations including N-series, J-series, G-series, B-series)
- Intel Core i3, i5, i7, i9 Processors (8th through 13th Generation)
- Intel Pentium Gold Processor Family
- Intel Pentium J6425, N6415 Processors
- Intel Core M3-8100Y Processor
Discovery Timeline
- November 14, 2023 - CVE-2023-22329 published to NVD
- November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2023-22329
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the BIOS firmware implementation on affected Intel processors. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is responsible for initializing hardware components and providing runtime services to the operating system. When input validation is not properly enforced at the firmware level, malformed or unexpected data can cause the system to enter an unstable state.
The vulnerability requires an attacker to be authenticated and have adjacent network access to the target system, which limits the attack surface compared to remotely exploitable vulnerabilities. However, in environments where network segmentation is weak or where attackers have already established a foothold on adjacent systems, this vulnerability could be leveraged to disrupt operations.
The denial of service impact affects system availability, as successful exploitation can interrupt normal processor operations. This is particularly concerning for embedded systems and industrial applications that rely on continuous uptime, where affected Intel Atom processors are commonly deployed.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2023-22329 is inadequate input validation in the BIOS firmware code. The firmware fails to properly sanitize or validate certain inputs before processing them, allowing specially crafted data to trigger error conditions. This is classified under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation), indicating that the software does not validate or incorrectly validates input that can affect the control flow or data flow of a program.
BIOS firmware operates at the most privileged level of the system, meaning vulnerabilities at this layer can have significant impacts on system stability and security. The improper validation allows boundary conditions to be violated, potentially causing the system to crash or become unresponsive.
Attack Vector
Exploitation of CVE-2023-22329 requires the following conditions:
Authentication Required: The attacker must have valid credentials or authenticated access to interact with the vulnerable BIOS firmware.
Adjacent Network Access: The attacker must be on the same network segment as the target system. This could include local LAN access, shared network infrastructure, or proximity-based network technologies.
Malformed Input Delivery: The attacker crafts specially designed input data that exploits the improper validation logic in the BIOS firmware, causing the denial of service condition.
The attack does not require user interaction and can be executed with low complexity once the prerequisite access conditions are met. While the immediate impact is limited to availability (denial of service), in operational technology or critical infrastructure environments, even brief service disruptions can have cascading effects.
Detection Methods for CVE-2023-22329
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected system reboots or crashes on Intel-based systems without corresponding operating system errors
- BIOS-level error messages or hardware initialization failures appearing in system logs
- Anomalous network traffic patterns from adjacent systems targeting BIOS management interfaces
- System Management Mode (SMM) or UEFI runtime service exceptions logged in firmware event logs
Detection Strategies
- Implement firmware integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications or anomalous BIOS behavior
- Deploy network monitoring solutions to identify suspicious traffic patterns on management interfaces and adjacent network segments
- Enable hardware event logging and forward BIOS/UEFI events to centralized SIEM platforms for correlation analysis
- Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring firmware-level activities
Monitoring Recommendations
- Establish baseline behavior for BIOS operations and alert on deviations such as unexpected initialization sequences
- Monitor for repeated system instability events across multiple Intel-based endpoints that may indicate targeted exploitation
- Implement network segmentation monitoring to detect lateral movement attempts toward systems with vulnerable firmware
- Configure alerts for authentication attempts on out-of-band management interfaces from unexpected sources
How to Mitigate CVE-2023-22329
Immediate Actions Required
- Review the Intel Security Advisory INTEL-SA-00924 for specific firmware update guidance
- Inventory all Intel-based systems to identify those running affected processor families
- Prioritize firmware updates for systems in sensitive or high-availability environments
- Implement network segmentation to limit adjacent network access to critical systems
Patch Information
Intel has released updated BIOS firmware to address this vulnerability. Organizations should obtain firmware updates through their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or motherboard vendor, as BIOS updates are typically customized for specific hardware configurations.
The official security advisory from Intel provides detailed information about affected products and remediation steps. Refer to Intel Security Advisory INTEL-SA-00924 for the authoritative list of firmware versions that contain the fix.
NetApp has also published a security advisory (NTAP-20231221-0008) for affected storage and infrastructure products incorporating vulnerable Intel processors.
Workarounds
- Restrict adjacent network access to vulnerable systems using VLANs, firewall rules, and network access control (NAC) solutions
- Disable or restrict access to BIOS management interfaces such as Intel Management Engine (ME) or out-of-band management features when not required
- Implement strong authentication requirements for any systems or services that interact with firmware-level components
- Deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting management interfaces
# Example: Network segmentation using iptables to restrict adjacent access
# Restrict access to management interfaces from untrusted adjacent networks
iptables -A INPUT -i eth0 -s 192.168.1.0/24 -p tcp --dport 16992 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -i eth0 -s 192.168.1.0/24 -p tcp --dport 16993 -j DROP
# Allow only trusted management hosts
iptables -A INPUT -i eth0 -s 10.0.0.50 -p tcp --dport 16992 -j ACCEPT
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
