Intel announced the discovery of 34 security vulnerabilities across various components, including 32 in software and 2 in firmware. The vulnerabilities affect a range of Intel technologies, such as Thunderbolt connection technology, chipset drivers, Wi-Fi components, and applications including XTU, oneAPI toolkit, and Intel Unison. Notably, Thunderbolt technology is significantly impacted, with disclosures concerning both Thunderbolt drivers and controller firmware. The vulnerabilities in the Thunderbolt drivers are particularly critical, with 20 identified issues that could potentially enable attackers to escalate privileges, conduct denial-of-service attacks, and access sensitive data. Among these, three are classified as having high severity.

The majority of the Thunderbolt vulnerabilities, along with other identified firmware issues, necessitate local access to exploit, meaning an attacker would need either physical or remote access to the affected system. This requirement somewhat mitigates the risk, as it limits the potential for exploitation to those who can gain direct access to the hardware. The disclosure by Intel follows the company's protocol of reporting vulnerabilities post-patch release for actively maintained software and firmware, ensuring that risks are minimized before public acknowledgment. This batch of vulnerabilities also includes issues found in software applications like the battery life diagnostic tool, further highlighting the extensive nature of the security concerns addressed.