CVE-2022-23182 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Intel(R) Data Center Manager (DCM) software versions prior to 4.1. The vulnerability arises from improper access control mechanisms within the software, which could allow an unauthenticated attacker with adjacent network access to escalate privileges. Specifically, the flaw enables an attacker who can access the same local network segment (adjacent access vector) to bypass authentication and gain elevated privileges within the DCM environment. Intel DCM is a management tool designed to monitor and control data center infrastructure, including power, thermal, and hardware health metrics, making it a critical component in enterprise and cloud data centers. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as the exploit requires no user interaction and no prior privileges, but does require adjacent network access. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature means that attackers could potentially leverage it to gain control over data center management functions, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, manipulation of hardware configurations, or disruption of data center operations. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed in August 2022, and patches are available in Intel DCM version 4.1 and later, although no direct patch links were provided in the source information.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-23182 can be significant, especially for enterprises and cloud service providers relying on Intel DCM for data center management. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized escalation of privileges, allowing attackers to manipulate critical infrastructure parameters such as power and thermal controls, potentially causing hardware damage or service outages. Confidential data monitored or controlled via DCM could be exposed or altered, impacting data integrity and confidentiality. Given the critical role of data centers in European financial institutions, government agencies, and large enterprises, this vulnerability could disrupt essential services and lead to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if sensitive data is compromised. The requirement for adjacent network access somewhat limits the attack surface to internal or poorly segmented networks, but insider threats or lateral movement by attackers who have breached perimeter defenses remain a concern. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited active exploitation, but the high CVSS score and potential impact warrant urgent mitigation.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading Intel Data Center Manager software to version 4.1 or later, where this vulnerability is addressed. Network segmentation should be enforced to restrict access to the management network, ensuring that only authorized devices and personnel can reach the DCM interfaces. Implement strict access control lists (ACLs) and firewall rules to limit adjacent network access to trusted hosts. Continuous monitoring and logging of DCM access should be enabled to detect any unauthorized attempts or suspicious activities. Additionally, organizations should conduct internal audits to identify any instances of legacy DCM versions in use and remediate them promptly. Employing network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) tuned to detect anomalous behavior around DCM traffic can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Finally, staff training on insider threat awareness and secure management practices will help reduce risks associated with internal actors.