CVE-2022-42465
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a privileged user on a local system to exploit improper access control in Intel's OFU kernel mode driver, potentially enabling privilege escalation. It affects systems running Intel OFU software versions before 14.1.30. The attacker needs local access and existing privileges to exploit this flaw.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel OFU (One Boot Flash Update) software
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
A malicious privileged user could gain SYSTEM/root-level privileges, completely compromising the host and potentially accessing sensitive data or installing persistent malware.
Likely Case
An attacker with initial access could elevate privileges to bypass security controls, install additional tools, or maintain persistence on compromised systems.
If Mitigated
With proper privilege separation and least privilege principles, the impact is limited as the attacker already needs elevated privileges to exploit the vulnerability.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and existing privileges. The vulnerability is in kernel mode, making exploitation more complex but potentially very powerful if successful.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 14.1.30 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00792.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Intel OFU version 14.1.30 or later from Intel's website. 2. Run the installer with administrative privileges. 3. Restart the system to load the updated kernel driver.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Intel OFU driver
windowsPrevent loading of the vulnerable kernel driver if Intel OFU functionality is not required
sc config IntelOFU start= disabled
sc stop IntelOFU
Remove Intel OFU software
windowsUninstall Intel OFU software completely if not needed
Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall Intel OFU
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict privilege separation and least privilege principles to limit users who could exploit this vulnerability
- Monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts and kernel driver loading activities
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel OFU version: On Windows, check Programs and Features for Intel OFU version. On Linux, check package manager or installed software list.Check Version:
On Windows: wmic product where name="Intel OFU" get version. On Linux: dpkg -l | grep ofu or rpm -qa | grep ofuVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Intel OFU version is 14.1.30 or later and check that the driver is loaded without errors in system logs.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected kernel driver loading events
- Privilege escalation attempts
- IntelOFU service start/stop events
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability
SIEM Query:
EventID=7045 OR EventID=4697 (Windows service installation) with IntelOFU in service name, OR Sysmon EventID=6 (Driver loaded) with IntelOFU in ImageLoaded