CVE-2023-42773
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel Power Gadget software for Windows allows authenticated local users to potentially escalate privileges through improper input neutralization. It affects all versions of the software on Windows systems. Attackers could gain elevated system privileges by exploiting this flaw.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Power Gadget software
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with administrative privileges, allowing installation of malware, data theft, or persistence mechanisms.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation to SYSTEM or admin level, enabling lateral movement within the network and bypassing security controls.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls restrict local user accounts and software is updated promptly.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local authenticated access. The CWE-707 (Improper Neutralization) suggests input validation/sanitization issues that could be leveraged for privilege escalation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Intel recommends removing Intel Power Gadget software entirely as no patched version is available
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01037.html
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Uninstall Intel Power Gadget software from affected Windows systems
2. Verify removal using Windows Add/Remove Programs or PowerShell: Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like '*Intel Power Gadget*'} | Select-Object Name, Version
3. Monitor for official updates from Intel
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove Intel Power Gadget
windowsUninstall the vulnerable software completely as no patch is available
Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Select Intel Power Gadget > Uninstall
Using PowerShell: Get-Package -Name '*Intel Power Gadget*' | Uninstall-Package
Restrict Local User Access
windowsLimit local user accounts on systems where Intel Power Gadget cannot be immediately removed
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Intel Power Gadget software from all affected systems
- Implement strict access controls to limit local user accounts on systems where the software must remain
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Intel Power Gadget is installed: Control Panel > Programs > Look for 'Intel Power Gadget' or use PowerShell: Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like '*Intel Power Gadget*'}Check Version:
PowerShell: Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like '*Intel Power Gadget*'} | Select-Object Name, VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Intel Power Gadget is not installed: PowerShell: Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like '*Intel Power Gadget*'} should return no results📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing Intel Power Gadget process execution with elevated privileges
- Unexpected privilege escalation events from Intel Power Gadget processes
Network Indicators:
- No direct network indicators as this is local privilege escalation
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND ProcessName LIKE '%PowerGadget%' AND NewProcessName NOT LIKE '%PowerGadget%' (for Windows Event Logs)