CVE-2024-36253
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel SDP Tool for Windows allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges by manipulating the software's search path. Attackers could execute arbitrary code with higher system permissions. All versions of the software on Windows systems are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel(R) SDP Tool for Windows
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise where an authenticated attacker gains SYSTEM/administrator privileges, enabling complete control over the affected system.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing authenticated users to bypass security controls and gain elevated permissions for persistence or lateral movement.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls restrict local user accounts and privilege escalation attempts are monitored.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local authenticated access and knowledge of DLL hijacking/search path manipulation techniques.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Latest version from Intel (check advisory for specific version)
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01179.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Visit Intel Security Advisory INTEL-SA-01179. 2. Download latest Intel SDP Tool version. 3. Uninstall current version. 4. Install updated version. 5. Restart system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove Intel SDP Tool
windowsUninstall the Intel SDP Tool if not required for operations
Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Select Intel SDP Tool > Uninstall
Restrict Local User Access
windowsLimit local user accounts on systems with Intel SDP Tool installed
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove or restrict Intel SDP Tool to essential systems only
- Implement strict local user account controls and monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Intel SDP Tool is installed via Programs and Features or using: Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like '*Intel SDP*'}Check Version:
Check version in Control Panel > Programs > Intel SDP Tool properties or via vendor documentationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Intel SDP Tool version matches latest from Intel advisory and check installation date📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected process execution from Intel SDP Tool directories
- DLL loading from unusual locations
- Privilege escalation events in Windows Security logs
Network Indicators:
- Not network exploitable - local privilege escalation only
SIEM Query:
Process creation where parent process contains 'sdp' or 'intel' AND child process has elevated privileges