CVE-2024-23599: Intel Firmware Update Race Condition Flaw

CVE-2024-23599 Overview

A race condition vulnerability has been identified in Seamless Firmware Updates for some Intel reference platforms. This flaw may allow a privileged user to potentially enable denial of service via local access. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-362 (Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization), indicating a timing-based flaw where multiple processes or threads access shared resources without proper synchronization controls.

Critical Impact

A privileged attacker with local access could exploit this race condition to cause denial of service, potentially disrupting firmware update processes and system stability on affected Intel reference platforms.

Affected Products

• Intel reference platforms with Seamless Firmware Updates functionality
• Systems utilizing affected Intel firmware components
• Enterprise and server deployments running vulnerable firmware versions

Discovery Timeline

• September 16, 2024 - CVE-2024-23599 published to NVD
• November 3, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-23599

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a race condition in Intel's Seamless Firmware Updates mechanism. Race conditions occur when the behavior of software depends on the sequence or timing of uncontrollable events, such as the order in which threads execute. In this case, the flaw exists within the firmware update process on Intel reference platforms, where improper synchronization between concurrent operations creates an exploitable timing window.

The vulnerability requires local access and elevated privileges to exploit, limiting the attack surface to scenarios where an attacker has already gained privileged access to the target system. However, successful exploitation could result in high impact to integrity and availability, both locally and potentially affecting dependent systems.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-23599 is a Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) or similar synchronization flaw within the Seamless Firmware Update process. When firmware updates are performed, the system must validate and apply changes in a specific sequence. The race condition arises when this sequence can be interrupted or manipulated by concurrent operations, allowing a privileged attacker to interfere with the update process.

CWE-362 vulnerabilities typically occur when:

• Multiple execution threads access shared resources
• Proper locking or synchronization mechanisms are absent
• The timing between check and use operations can be exploited

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have privileged access to the affected system. The exploitation scenario involves:

1. Attaining privileged (high privilege) access to an Intel reference platform running vulnerable firmware
2. Initiating or waiting for a Seamless Firmware Update operation
3. Exploiting the race condition window to interfere with the update process
4. Causing denial of service by corrupting or disrupting the firmware update mechanism

The vulnerability does not require user interaction, and the attack complexity is considered low once the prerequisite access is obtained. The primary impact is denial of service, affecting system integrity and availability.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-23599

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected firmware update failures or interruptions on Intel reference platforms
• System instability following firmware update attempts
• Unusual process activity during scheduled firmware maintenance windows
• Unexplained denial of service conditions affecting firmware management interfaces

Detection Strategies

• Monitor firmware update logs for anomalous patterns or repeated failures
• Implement privileged access monitoring to detect unauthorized local access attempts
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of monitoring firmware-level operations
• Configure alerting for unexpected system behavior during firmware update windows
• Utilize SentinelOne's behavioral AI to detect suspicious privileged activity patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging for firmware update operations
• Monitor privileged user activity on systems with Seamless Firmware Update functionality
• Implement real-time alerting for firmware update process anomalies
• Regularly audit access controls for systems running affected Intel firmware

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-23599

Immediate Actions Required

• Review the Intel Security Advisory SA-01071 for specific remediation guidance
• Identify all Intel reference platforms in your environment that utilize Seamless Firmware Updates
• Restrict local privileged access to affected systems to essential personnel only
• Monitor firmware update operations for signs of exploitation attempts
• Apply vendor-provided patches as they become available

Patch Information

Intel has published security advisory SA-01071 addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should consult the Intel Security Advisory SA-01071 for detailed patch information and firmware update guidance specific to their affected platforms.

NetApp has also published a related advisory (NetApp Security Advisory NTAP-20241011-0009) for customers using affected Intel components in NetApp products.

Workarounds

• Implement strict access controls limiting privileged local access to affected systems
• Schedule firmware updates during controlled maintenance windows with enhanced monitoring
• Consider temporarily disabling Seamless Firmware Updates if not operationally critical until patches are applied
• Employ defense-in-depth strategies to reduce the likelihood of attackers gaining privileged local access
• Utilize SentinelOne endpoint protection to monitor and alert on suspicious privileged activity