CVE-2017-3197 in GB-BSi7H-6500
Summary
by MITRE
GIGABYTE BRIX UEFI firmware for the GB-BSi7H-6500 (version F6) and GB-BXi7-5775 (version F2) platforms does not securely implement BIOSWE, BLE, SMM_BWP, and PRx features. As a result, the BIOS is not protected from arbitrary write access and may permit modifications to the SPI flash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3197 affects GIGABYTE BRIX systems utilizing specific UEFI firmware versions, creating a critical security weakness in the system's firmware implementation. This issue specifically impacts the GB-BSi7H-6500 platform running firmware version F6 and the GB-BXi7-5775 platform with firmware version F2, representing a significant concern for embedded system security. The flaw resides in the UEFI firmware's improper implementation of several crucial BIOS protection mechanisms that are essential for maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized modifications to the system's firmware components.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the inadequate implementation of four critical UEFI security features: BIOSWE (BIOS Write Enable), BLE (Boot Lock Enable), SMM_BWP (System Management Mode Boot Write Protect), and PRx (Platform Reset). These features are designed to establish a secure firmware environment by controlling access permissions to the SPI flash memory where the BIOS firmware is stored. When these protections are improperly implemented or disabled, they create pathways for unauthorized firmware modifications that can compromise the entire system's security posture. The vulnerability represents a failure in the firmware's privilege separation mechanisms and access control implementation, allowing attackers to bypass security checks that should prevent arbitrary writes to the SPI flash memory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers with physical access to potentially compromise the entire system through firmware-level attacks. The ability to modify SPI flash contents without proper authorization creates opportunities for persistent malware installation, rootkit deployment, and system state manipulation that can persist across operating system reboots. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where physical access is possible, as attackers can utilize the unprotected write mechanisms to install malicious firmware components that operate below the operating system level. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as firmware-level modifications can bypass traditional security controls and detection mechanisms, making this attack vector particularly dangerous for enterprise environments and systems requiring high security assurances.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-1001, which identifies improper implementation of security features in firmware and embedded systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in firmware security design. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1014, which covers rootkit creation through firmware manipulation, demonstrating how this vulnerability could be exploited to establish persistent malicious presence within systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive firmware security measures including regular firmware updates, hardware-based security features such as Intel's Platform Trust Technology, and physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to systems. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing firmware integrity monitoring solutions and establishing secure boot processes to detect and prevent unauthorized firmware modifications, as the vulnerability creates a fundamental weakness in the system's firmware protection architecture that could be exploited by sophisticated attackers seeking persistent access to target systems.