CVE-2024-37024
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel ACAT software for Windows allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges by manipulating the DLL search path. Attackers could execute arbitrary code with higher system permissions. Only Windows systems running vulnerable ACAT versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel ACAT (Assistive Context-Aware Toolkit)
⚠️ 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
Full system compromise with SYSTEM-level privileges, enabling complete control over the affected system, data theft, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to gain administrative rights, install malware, or bypass security controls on compromised systems.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper user privilege separation and application whitelisting preventing unauthorized DLL loading.
🎯 Exploit Status
DLL hijacking/search path vulnerabilities typically have low exploitation complexity once the vulnerable path is identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.11.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01176.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download ACAT version 3.11.0 or later from Intel's official distribution channels. 2. Uninstall previous ACAT versions. 3. Install the updated version. 4. Restart the system to ensure all components are properly loaded.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict DLL search path
windowsConfigure Windows to use SafeDllSearchMode and restrict DLL loading from current directory
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v SafeDllSearchMode /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v CWDIllegalInDllSearch /t REG_DWORD /d 0xffffffff /f
Remove vulnerable software
windowsUninstall ACAT if not required for operations
appwiz.cpl
Select Intel ACAT and click Uninstall
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement least privilege principles - ensure users don't have write access to directories in ACAT's search path
- Use application control solutions to block unauthorized DLL loading and monitor for suspicious DLL placement
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check ACAT version through Control Panel > Programs and Features or run 'wmic product get name,version' and look for Intel ACAT versions below 3.11.0Check Version:
wmic product where "name like '%Intel%ACAT%'" get name,versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify ACAT version is 3.11.0 or higher using same methods, and check that no older versions remain installed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event ID 4688 (process creation) showing ACAT loading DLLs from unusual locations
- Sysmon Event ID 7 (image loaded) showing DLLs loaded by ACAT from user-writable directories
Network Indicators:
- No direct network indicators - this is a local privilege escalation
SIEM Query:
source="windows" AND (event_id=4688 OR event_id=7) AND process_name="*acat*" AND (image_loaded="*.dll" AND image_path="*Users*" OR image_path="*Temp*")