CVE-2014-8271 in EDK2
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Reclaim function in Tianocore EDK2 before SVN 16280 allows physically proximate attackers to gain privileges via a long variable name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8271 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Reclaim function of Tianocore EDK2 firmware development environment. This issue affects versions prior to SVN revision 16280 and exposes systems to privilege escalation attacks when exploited by physically proximate attackers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle variable names exceeding predetermined buffer boundaries. The Reclaim function, which is responsible for managing memory cleanup operations within the firmware environment, does not perform adequate bounds checking on variable name lengths, creating a predictable overflow condition. This weakness allows attackers with physical access to a system to craft malicious variable names that exceed the allocated buffer space, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The flaw operates through a classic buffer overrun mechanism where a long variable name parameter is passed to the Reclaim function without proper length validation. When the function attempts to process this excessively long name, it writes beyond the allocated memory buffer, potentially overwriting critical control data such as return addresses, function pointers, or other security-critical metadata. The physical proximity requirement for exploitation indicates that this vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where unauthorized physical access cannot be adequately controlled, such as in enterprise data centers, government facilities, or industrial control systems. The attack vector suggests that an adversary could manipulate firmware variables through direct system access, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire firmware stack.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8271 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise and potential persistence mechanisms within the firmware environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify firmware components, install backdoors, or establish persistent access points that survive operating system reboots and standard security measures. The vulnerability's presence in EDK2, which serves as a foundational firmware development framework for numerous enterprise and embedded systems, amplifies its potential impact across multiple vendors and hardware platforms. Organizations relying on firmware-based security mechanisms may find their defenses compromised, as the vulnerability undermines the fundamental trust model of the system firmware. This weakness particularly affects systems where firmware integrity is critical for maintaining security boundaries, including servers, network equipment, and specialized industrial control systems. The long-term implications include potential supply chain compromises, as firmware updates may be required to address this vulnerability across multiple device manufacturers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8271 require immediate implementation of firmware updates from affected vendors, specifically targeting EDK2 versions that include SVN revision 16280 or later. Organizations should implement robust physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to systems, including secure data center environments, tamper-evident seals, and access control systems. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous firmware behavior or unauthorized modifications. The implementation of firmware integrity verification mechanisms, such as UEFI Secure Boot implementations, provides additional protection layers against exploitation attempts. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across their firmware environments, particularly focusing on devices running EDK2-based firmware. Regular firmware update policies should be established to ensure timely patch deployment, considering that this vulnerability affects the foundational firmware development framework rather than specific vendor implementations. The remediation process should also include verification of firmware integrity using cryptographic checksums and digital signatures to prevent installation of compromised firmware versions. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent buffer overflow conditions within firmware execution environments, aligning with the principles of defense in depth and the MITRE ATT&CK framework's focus on firmware-level adversary techniques.