CVE-2024-21853
📋 TL;DR
A hardware logic vulnerability in certain 4th and 5th Generation Intel Xeon Processors allows authorized users to potentially cause denial of service via local access. This affects systems using these specific Intel processors, primarily in server environments. The vulnerability stems from improper finite state machines in the processor hardware.
💻 Affected Systems
- 4th Generation Intel Xeon Processors (Sapphire Rapids)
- 5th Generation Intel Xeon Processors (Emerald Rapids)
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system crash or hang requiring physical power cycle, disrupting critical services and causing extended downtime.
Likely Case
Localized service disruption on affected processor cores, potentially causing application instability or temporary unavailability.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper access controls limiting local user privileges and monitoring for abnormal system behavior.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authorized local access and detailed knowledge of processor microarchitecture. No public exploit code has been disclosed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Microcode updates provided by Intel
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01101.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check with your system/BIOS vendor for microcode updates. 2. Apply BIOS/UEFI firmware update containing Intel microcode. 3. Reboot system to load updated microcode. 4. Verify microcode version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Local Access
allLimit local user access to systems with affected processors to only trusted, necessary personnel.
Monitor System Stability
allImplement monitoring for system crashes, hangs, or abnormal processor behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges on affected systems
- Deploy monitoring and alerting for system stability issues and unauthorized access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check processor model using 'lscpu' on Linux or System Information on Windows, then compare with Intel's affected processor list.Check Version:
Linux: cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep 'model name' | head -1; Windows: wmic cpu get nameVerify Fix Applied:
Check microcode version after BIOS update using 'dmesg | grep microcode' on Linux or review system firmware version in BIOS/UEFI.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected system crashes or hangs
- Kernel panic logs
- Processor exception or machine check errors in system logs
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local hardware vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for: (event_type="system_crash" OR event_type="kernel_panic") AND (host_contains_affected_cpu_model)