CVE-2023-43629
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated users with local access to systems running vulnerable Intel GPA software to escalate privileges due to incorrect default permissions in installers. It affects systems with Intel GPA software versions before 2023.3 installed.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel(R) Graphics Performance Analyzers (GPA)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker could gain SYSTEM/root privileges on the affected system, enabling complete compromise and persistence.
Likely Case
Local authenticated users could elevate their privileges to administrator/root level to install malware, access sensitive data, or modify system configurations.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and least privilege principles, the impact is limited to authorized users who already have some level of system access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local authenticated access and knowledge of the vulnerable installer location/permissions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2023.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00831.html
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download Intel GPA version 2023.3 or later from Intel's website. 2. Uninstall previous versions. 3. Install the updated version. 4. Verify installation and permissions.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove vulnerable software
windowsUninstall Intel GPA software if not required for operations
Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Select Intel GPA > Uninstall
Restrict installer permissions
windowsManually adjust permissions on GPA installer files to prevent unauthorized execution
icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel\GPA\*" /inheritance:r /grant:r "SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F" "Administrators:(OI)(CI)F" /deny "Users:(OI)(CI)RX"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Intel GPA software from systems where it's not essential
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel GPA version: On Windows, check Programs and Features or run 'wmic product where name="Intel(R) Graphics Performance Analyzers" get version'. On Linux, check installation directory for version info.Check Version:
wmic product where name="Intel(R) Graphics Performance Analyzers" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version is 2023.3 or later using the same version check methods.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing privilege escalation attempts
- Process creation events for GPA installer components with elevated privileges
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - this is a local privilege escalation
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (ProcessName LIKE '%gpa%' OR ProcessName LIKE '%IntelGPA%') AND NewProcessName LIKE '%cmd%' OR NewProcessName LIKE '%powershell%')