CVE-2005-4175 in bios
Summary
by MITRE
insyde bios v190 does not clear the keyboard buffer after reading the bios password during system startup which allows local administrators or users to read the password directly from physical memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4175 affects the Insyde BIOS version 190 implementation where insufficient memory management practices leave sensitive authentication data accessible to unauthorized parties. This security flaw exists within the system's boot process where the BIOS reads the password from a designated input mechanism but fails to properly clear the keyboard buffer afterward. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insecure memory handling that violates fundamental security principles governing credential protection during system initialization phases.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the BIOS firmware's failure to execute proper memory sanitization procedures after password input processing. When a user enters a BIOS password during system startup, the input is captured in memory and subsequently read by the system's authentication routine. However, the firmware does not perform adequate buffer clearing operations, leaving the password data resident in physical memory where it can be accessed by any entity with sufficient privileges to read system memory. This design oversight creates a persistent security risk that extends beyond the immediate authentication process and into the broader memory management architecture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system security as it allows local administrators or users with physical access to directly extract password information from system memory. The attack vector requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed using standard memory inspection tools or by leveraging the system's debugging capabilities. This weakness undermines the fundamental security assumptions of BIOS-level authentication mechanisms and creates potential for privilege escalation attacks where attackers can bypass authentication controls entirely. The vulnerability affects systems where Insyde BIOS version 190 is deployed and represents a critical weakness in the firmware security model.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-1280, which addresses insecure memory handling in firmware implementations, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1003.002 for credential access through memory scraping. Organizations with affected systems face potential unauthorized access to sensitive administrative controls and may experience cascading security failures if the extracted credentials are used to compromise additional system components. The vulnerability demonstrates how firmware-level security flaws can create persistent attack surfaces that remain undetected for extended periods due to the limited visibility into BIOS operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on firmware updates provided by the vendor to address the specific memory handling behavior in Insyde BIOS version 190. System administrators should implement strict physical security controls to limit access to systems where this vulnerability exists, particularly in environments where unauthorized physical access cannot be adequately controlled. Memory protection mechanisms should be enhanced through operating system-level security features that restrict memory access permissions and implement proper buffer sanitization protocols. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication layers and monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive audit trails of BIOS access events. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing at all levels of system architecture including firmware components and emphasizes the need for proper memory management practices throughout the entire system lifecycle.