CVE-2022-21204
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges due to improper file permissions. Attackers could gain elevated system access on affected installations. Only users running vulnerable versions of this specific Intel software are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker gains full administrative/root privileges on the system, potentially compromising the entire host and adjacent systems.
Likely Case
Local users with standard privileges gain elevated access to modify system files, install malware, or access restricted data.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and least privilege principles, impact is limited to the Quartus Prime application scope.
🎯 Exploit Status
Local privilege escalation typically has low complexity once initial access is obtained. No public exploit code identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 21.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00632.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Quartus Prime Pro Edition version 21.3 or later from Intel website. 2. Uninstall previous version. 3. Install updated version. 4. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Local Access
allLimit local user access to systems running Quartus Prime to trusted personnel only.
Apply Least Privilege
allEnsure Quartus Prime users operate with minimal necessary privileges.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected systems from critical networks and sensitive data
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Quartus Prime version via Help > About in the application or check installed programs list.Check Version:
On Windows: Check Programs and Features. On Linux: Check package manager or installation directory.Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 21.3 or later in application or system programs list.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Quartus Prime process spawning with elevated privileges
- File permission changes in Quartus directories
Network Indicators:
- None - local-only vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Process creation where parent process contains 'quartus' and privilege level changes