CVE-2024-21814: Intel Chipset Device Software Privilege Escalation

CVE-2024-21814 Overview

CVE-2024-21814 is an uncontrolled search path vulnerability affecting Intel Chipset Device Software before version 10.1.19444.8378. This security flaw (CWE-427) may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access. The vulnerability exists in how the software searches for and loads dynamic libraries or executables, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code into privileged processes.

Critical Impact

An authenticated local attacker can exploit this uncontrolled search path vulnerability to escalate privileges on affected systems running vulnerable versions of Intel Chipset Device Software, potentially gaining elevated access to system resources.

Affected Products

• Intel Chipset Device Software versions prior to 10.1.19444.8378

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-05-16 - CVE-2024-21814 published to NVD
• 2025-01-28 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-21814

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from an uncontrolled search path element (CWE-427) in Intel Chipset Device Software. When the software attempts to load libraries or execute programs, it searches through a series of directories in a predefined order. If any of these directories in the search path are writable by lower-privileged users, an attacker can place a malicious library or executable in that location.

The attack requires local access and user interaction, but once successfully exploited, can result in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected system. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Intel Chipset Device Software is commonly deployed across numerous workstations and servers.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper handling of the search path used when loading dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) or executables. The vulnerable software versions do not adequately restrict or validate the directories from which libraries are loaded. This allows an attacker to place a malicious DLL in a directory that is searched before the legitimate system directories, causing the malicious code to be executed with the privileges of the calling process.

This type of vulnerability, often referred to as "DLL hijacking" or "DLL search order hijacking," occurs when applications rely on relative paths or insecure search orders rather than using absolute paths to load required libraries.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2024-21814 requires local access to the vulnerable system. An authenticated user with standard privileges can exploit this vulnerability by:

1. Identifying writable directories in the application's DLL search path
2. Placing a malicious DLL with an expected name in one of these directories
3. Triggering the vulnerable application to load the malicious library
4. Executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges when the DLL is loaded

Since no public proof-of-concept exploits are currently available and this vulnerability is not listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, exploitation in the wild has not been confirmed. However, the local attack vector and privilege escalation potential make this a significant risk for systems running affected software versions.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-21814

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected DLL files appearing in application directories or user-writable paths in the system PATH
• Unusual process activity associated with Intel Chipset Device Software components
• Privilege escalation events following execution of Intel chipset-related processes
• Modified or newly created files in directories commonly targeted for DLL hijacking attacks

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file creation events in directories within the DLL search path of Intel Chipset Device Software
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized DLLs
• Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous DLL loading behavior
• Audit installed versions of Intel Chipset Device Software across the enterprise to identify vulnerable installations

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Windows Security event logging for process creation and DLL loading events
• Configure SentinelOne Singularity Platform to alert on suspicious DLL sideloading attempts
• Monitor for privilege escalation patterns following execution of Intel software components
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical system and application directories

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-21814

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Intel Chipset Device Software to version 10.1.19444.8378 or later immediately
• Conduct an inventory of all systems running Intel Chipset Device Software to identify vulnerable installations
• Restrict write permissions on directories in the application's DLL search path
• Implement application control policies to prevent unauthorized DLL execution

Patch Information

Intel has released a security update addressing this vulnerability. Users should update Intel Chipset Device Software to version 10.1.19444.8378 or later. The official security advisory is available at the Intel Security Center Advisory INTEL-SA-01032.

Organizations can obtain the patched software through Intel's official download channels. It is recommended to verify the integrity of downloaded software packages before deployment.

Workarounds

• Restrict user permissions on directories commonly targeted for DLL hijacking attacks
• Implement strict application whitelisting policies using Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or similar solutions
• Remove unnecessary user write permissions from system and application directories
• Use SentinelOne's behavioral AI detection capabilities to identify and block exploitation attempts

# Check installed Intel Chipset Device Software version
wmic product where "name like '%Intel%Chipset%'" get name,version

# Verify directory permissions on common DLL search paths
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel" /t