Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a local privilege-escalation issue in some Intel Thunderbolt DCH drivers for Windows before version 88. An attacker would already need local authenticated access and user interaction, so this is not a remote internet-facing risk, but it could help deepen compromise on affected endpoints.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate endpoint hardening item. It is not described as remotely exploitable or actively exploited, but affected systems should be updated because successful exploitation could raise attacker privileges locally.
Technical view
CVE-2023-24542 is a CWE-428 unquoted search path or element flaw in Intel Thunderbolt DCH drivers for Windows before version 88. CVSS 3.1 is 6.7 with local access, high complexity, low privileges, required user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Windows laptops or workstations using Intel Thunderbolt DCH drivers earlier than version 88. Systems without the affected driver line are not indicated as affected in the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation requires local authenticated access and user interaction, making this more relevant to post-compromise escalation than initial access.
Researcher notes
The public details identify the weakness class and affected version boundary, but not specific vulnerable paths, service names, or exploit mechanics. Avoid assuming exploitability on systems unless the affected Intel Thunderbolt DCH driver version is present.
Mitigation direction
- Update affected Intel Thunderbolt DCH drivers to version 88 or later.
- Check Intel advisory INTEL-SA-00851 and OEM driver channels for approved packages.
- Prioritize shared endpoints, developer systems, and users with elevated business access.
- Limit unnecessary local user privileges on Windows endpoints.
- Monitor vendor guidance for any revised affected-version or remediation details.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows endpoints with Intel Thunderbolt DCH drivers installed.
- Confirm driver versions are not earlier than version 88.
- Verify updates came from Intel or the device OEM’s trusted channel.
- Check endpoint management records for remaining vulnerable driver versions.
- Document any unsupported systems requiring compensating controls.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-428: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-24542 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.7 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H0.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.7MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Unquoted Search Path or Element
Unquoted Search Path or Element represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.