CVE-2022-21237 is a vulnerability identified in the firmware of certain Intel(R) NUC (Next Unit of Computing) devices. The flaw arises from improper buffer access, a classic memory safety issue categorized under CWE-119, which can lead to escalation of privilege. Specifically, this vulnerability allows a user who already has some level of local privileged access (e.g., a user with high privileges but not full administrative control) to exploit the firmware flaw to gain higher privileges on the system. The attack vector is local, meaning an attacker must have physical or remote access to the device with some elevated privileges to exploit this vulnerability. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker’s own actions, and the vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as indicated by the CVSS vector (C:H/I:H/A:H). The CVSS score of 6.7 classifies this as a medium severity issue. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the potential for privilege escalation, which could allow attackers to bypass security controls, install persistent malware, or manipulate system firmware. Intel NUCs are compact, high-performance mini-PCs widely used in enterprise environments, digital signage, IoT gateways, and edge computing scenarios, making this vulnerability relevant for organizations relying on these devices for critical infrastructure or sensitive workloads. The lack of publicly available patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for affected users to monitor for updates and apply mitigations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-21237 can be significant, especially in sectors where Intel NUCs are deployed as part of critical infrastructure, such as manufacturing, telecommunications, finance, and government. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain elevated privileges on affected devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, or the establishment of persistent footholds within corporate networks. Given that the vulnerability affects firmware, exploitation could allow attackers to bypass operating system-level security controls, making detection and remediation more challenging. This is particularly concerning for organizations with strict regulatory requirements around data protection and system integrity, such as those governed by GDPR. The local access requirement somewhat limits the attack surface; however, insider threats or attackers who have already compromised lower-privileged accounts could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and move laterally within networks. Additionally, Intel NUCs used in edge computing or IoT scenarios may be less monitored, increasing the risk of unnoticed exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2022-21237, European organizations should: 1) Inventory all Intel NUC devices in their environment and identify affected firmware versions by consulting Intel’s advisories and references. 2) Apply firmware updates and patches as soon as they become available from Intel to remediate the vulnerability. 3) Restrict local access to Intel NUC devices to trusted personnel only, employing physical security controls such as locked server rooms or cabinets. 4) Implement strict access control policies to limit the number of users with elevated privileges on these devices, reducing the risk of insider exploitation. 5) Monitor logs and system behavior for unusual activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts, including firmware-level anomalies. 6) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting suspicious firmware or privilege escalation activities. 7) Consider network segmentation to isolate Intel NUC devices, limiting the potential for lateral movement if a device is compromised. 8) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of timely patching and access controls.