CVE-2024-23918
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel Xeon processors with SGX enabled allows a privileged user to escalate privileges through improper memory controller condition checks. It affects systems using affected Intel Xeon processors with Intel SGX enabled. The attacker must have local access and existing privileges to exploit this flaw.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Xeon processors with SGX support
⚠️ 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
A privileged attacker could gain full system control, bypass security boundaries, and potentially access sensitive SGX-protected data.
Likely Case
Privileged users could elevate their permissions beyond intended limits, compromising system integrity and confidentiality.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to authorized users attempting privilege escalation, which can be detected and contained.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and existing privileges. Exploitation involves specific memory controller manipulation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Microcode updates as specified in Intel SA-01079
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01079.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Intel SA-01079 for affected processor models. 2. Obtain microcode update from system vendor or Intel. 3. Apply microcode update through BIOS/UEFI update or operating system mechanism. 4. Reboot system to activate new microcode.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Intel SGX
allDisable Intel Software Guard Extensions feature in BIOS/UEFI settings
Restrict privileged access
allImplement strict access controls and least privilege principles for local users
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable Intel SGX in BIOS/UEFI settings if not required
- Implement strict monitoring and auditing of privileged user activities
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check processor model and microcode version. Use 'cat /proc/cpuinfo' on Linux or system information tools on Windows to identify processor.Check Version:
Linux: 'cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep -E "model|microcode"', Windows: 'wmic cpu get name,description'Verify Fix Applied:
Verify microcode version after update matches patched version from Intel advisory. On Linux: 'dmesg | grep microcode' or 'cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep microcode'.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege escalation attempts
- SGX-related errors or access patterns
- Microcode update failures
Network Indicators:
- None - local access only vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for privilege escalation events from local users on systems with Intel Xeon processors