CVE-2022-40261

moderate-risk

Published 2022-09-20

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges from ring 0 to ring -2, execute arbitrary code in System Management Mode - an environment more privileged than operating system (OS) and completely isolated from it. Running arbitrary code in SMM additionally bypasses SMM-based SPI flash protections against modifications, which can help an attacker to install a firmware backdoor/implant into BIOS. Such a malicious firmware code in BIOS could persist across operating system re-installs. Additionally, this vulnerability potentially could be used by malicious actors to bypass security mechanisms provided by UEFI firmware (for example, Secure Boot and some types of memory isolation for hypervisors). This issue affects: Module name: OverClockSmiHandler SHA256: a204699576e1a48ce915d9d9423380c8e4c197003baf9d17e6504f0265f3039c Module GUID: 4698C2BD-A903-410E-AD1F-5EEF3A1AE422

Do I need to act?

0.13% chance of exploitation

EPSS score — low exploit probability

Not on CISA KEV list

No confirmed active exploitation reported to CISA

Patch status unknown

Check vendor advisories for fix availability and mitigation guidance

CVSS 8.2/10 High

LOCAL / LOW complexity

Affected Products (3)

Nuc M15 Laptop Kit Lapbc510 Firmware

Nuc M15 Laptop Kit Lapbc710 Firmware

Aptio V

Affected Vendors

Intel Ami

References (4)

Vendor Advisory https://www.ami.com/security-center/

Exploit https://www.binarly.io/advisories/BRLY-2022-003

Vendor Advisory https://www.ami.com/security-center/

Exploit https://www.binarly.io/advisories/BRLY-2022-003

/ 100

moderate-risk

Severity 25/34 · High

Exploitability 1/34 · Minimal

Exposure 9/34 · Low