CVE-2024-38307: Intel AMT Denial of Service Vulnerability

CVE-2024-38307 Overview

CVE-2024-38307 is an improper input validation vulnerability [CWE-20] in the firmware for some Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) and Intel Standard Manageability products. An authenticated user with network access can trigger a denial of service condition against affected systems. The flaw resides in the manageability firmware, which runs independently of the host operating system on the Intel Management Engine.

Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker with network access can disrupt availability of Intel AMT and Standard Manageability services, impacting remote management capabilities on affected platforms.

Affected Products

Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) firmware
Intel Standard Manageability firmware
Intel platforms shipping with vulnerable Management Engine firmware versions (refer to Intel SA-01152 for the enumerated list)

Discovery Timeline

2025-02-12 - CVE-2024-38307 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-38307

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper input validation in the firmware handling network-facing manageability requests. Intel AMT and Standard Manageability expose out-of-band management services over the network, allowing remote administrators to perform tasks such as power control, KVM redirection, and boot management even when the host operating system is unavailable.

When the affected firmware receives a malformed or unexpected input from an authenticated network client, insufficient validation allows the request to reach code paths that were not designed to handle it safely. The resulting condition disrupts the availability of the manageability service. Successful exploitation requires valid authentication credentials for the AMT interface, which limits the attack surface to users who already possess management-plane access.

The impact is limited to availability. According to Intel's advisory, the flaw does not directly enable code execution, privilege escalation, or disclosure of confidential data. Because AMT operates independently of the host OS, a denial of service in the manageability engine can prevent legitimate administrators from performing remote recovery on affected endpoints.

Root Cause

The firmware fails to properly validate inputs supplied through the network management interface, matching the [CWE-20] weakness class. Malformed data reaches processing routines that assume well-formed inputs, producing an error state that halts or degrades the manageability service.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the AMT management interface and valid authentication. An attacker sends crafted requests to trigger the invalid input path, causing the manageability firmware to enter a denial of service condition. See the Intel Security Advisory SA-01152 for the vendor's technical description.

No public proof-of-concept code has been published for this issue at the time of writing.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-38307

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected loss of Intel AMT or Standard Manageability responsiveness on TCP ports 16992, 16993, 623, or 664
Repeated authenticated sessions to the AMT interface from unusual source addresses preceding a service outage
Manageability engine event log entries indicating abnormal request handling or firmware restarts

Detection Strategies

Baseline the availability of AMT management endpoints and alert when the service becomes unreachable while the host remains online
Correlate authentication events against the AMT interface with subsequent manageability service failures
Inventory endpoints running affected Intel ME firmware versions using vendor-provided detection tools referenced in Intel SA-01152

Monitoring Recommendations

Log and review all authentication attempts to AMT interfaces, treating credentials with management-plane privileges as sensitive assets
Monitor network flows to AMT ports from segments that should not normally reach the management plane
Track firmware versions across fleet inventory to identify systems still exposed to CVE-2024-38307

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-38307

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the firmware updates published by Intel and system OEMs as referenced in Intel Security Advisory SA-01152
Restrict network access to AMT management ports (16992, 16993, 623, 664) to trusted administrative networks only
Rotate AMT administrator credentials and enforce strong, unique passwords on the manageability interface

Patch Information

Intel has released firmware updates that address the improper input validation flaw. Because AMT firmware is delivered through platform vendors, administrators must obtain the corresponding BIOS or Management Engine firmware update from the system manufacturer (OEM) for each affected platform. Consult the Intel advisory for the list of fixed firmware versions and coordinate deployment with OEM release schedules.

Workarounds

Disable Intel AMT and Standard Manageability on systems that do not require out-of-band management until firmware updates are applied
Segment the management plane onto a dedicated VLAN with strict access control lists limiting inbound traffic to authorized administrator workstations
Require VPN or jump host access before allowing any connection to AMT management ports

bash

# Example: block AMT management ports at the host firewall using iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -m multiport --dports 16992,16993,623,664 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p udp -m multiport --dports 16992,16993,623,664 -j DROP