CVE-2023-46689
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel Power Gadget for macOS allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges through improper input neutralization. It affects all versions of the software on macOS systems where the tool is installed. Attackers could gain elevated system access by exploiting this flaw.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Power Gadget for macOS
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with root-level access, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and complete control over the affected system.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation to root/admin privileges, enabling attackers to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper privilege separation and least privilege principles are enforced, though local authenticated users could still potentially exploit the vulnerability.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local authenticated access. The CWE-707 (Improper Neutralization) suggests input validation/sanitization issues that could be relatively straightforward to exploit once discovered.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Intel has released updated versions - check Intel Security Advisory for specific version numbers
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01037.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Visit Intel Security Advisory SA-01037. 2. Download the latest version of Intel Power Gadget for macOS. 3. Uninstall the current version. 4. Install the updated version. 5. Restart the system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Uninstall Intel Power Gadget
macosRemove the vulnerable software entirely if not required
sudo rm -rf /Applications/Intel\ Power\ Gadget.app
sudo rm -rf /Library/Application\ Support/Intel/Power\ Gadget
Restrict execution permissions
macosRemove execute permissions from Intel Power Gadget binaries
sudo chmod -x /Applications/Intel\ Power\ Gadget.app/Contents/MacOS/Intel\ Power\ Gadget
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Uninstall Intel Power Gadget completely if not essential for operations
- Implement strict user privilege controls and limit local user access to systems where the software must remain installed
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Intel Power Gadget is installed: ls /Applications/ | grep -i 'Intel Power Gadget'Check Version:
Open Intel Power Gadget application and check 'About' menu or check application bundle versionVerify Fix Applied:
Check installed version against Intel's patched version in advisory SA-01037📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege escalation attempts
- Intel Power Gadget process spawning with elevated privileges
- Sudo/su attempts from Intel Power Gadget context
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local privilege escalation
SIEM Query:
process_name:"Intel Power Gadget" AND (event_type:"privilege_escalation" OR user_privilege_change:true)