CVE-2024-39833
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Intel QAT software allows authenticated local users to escalate privileges by manipulating the search path for DLL files. It affects systems running Intel QuickAssist Technology software before version 2.3.0. Attackers could potentially gain elevated system privileges through this path traversal weakness.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) software
⚠️ 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
An authenticated attacker gains SYSTEM/root privileges on the affected system, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, and persistence establishment.
Likely Case
Authenticated users (including low-privilege accounts) escalate to administrative privileges, allowing them to install malware, modify system configurations, or access sensitive data.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, exploitation attempts are detected and blocked before privilege escalation occurs.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local authenticated access and knowledge of DLL hijacking techniques. No public exploits have been reported as of analysis.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.3.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01216.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Intel QAT software version 2.3.0 or later from Intel's website. 2. Uninstall previous QAT software versions. 3. Install the updated version. 4. Restart the system to apply changes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict DLL search path permissions
allModify system permissions to prevent unauthorized DLL placement in search paths
Windows: icacls "C:\Program Files\Intel\QAT\" /deny Users:(OI)(CI)W
Linux: chmod 755 /usr/lib64/libqat_s.so && chown root:root /usr/lib64/libqat_s.so
Implement application whitelisting
windowsUse Windows AppLocker or similar solutions to restrict DLL loading to authorized locations only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems running vulnerable QAT software
- Implement strict file integrity monitoring on QAT installation directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Intel QAT software version: Windows - Check Programs and Features for 'Intel(R) QuickAssist Technology'; Linux - Run 'rpm -qa | grep qat' or 'dpkg -l | grep qat'Check Version:
Windows: wmic product where "name like '%QuickAssist%'" get version; Linux: cat /sys/kernel/debug/qat_*/version | head -1Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm installed QAT version is 2.3.0 or higher using the same version check commands📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected DLL loading from non-standard paths in application logs
- Failed privilege escalation attempts in security logs
- Unauthorized file creation in QAT installation directories
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (ProcessName LIKE '%qat%' OR CommandLine CONTAINS 'qat') AND ParentProcessName NOT IN ('services.exe', 'svchost.exe')