CVE-2017-3771 in E95
Summary
by MITRE
System boot process is not adequately secured In Lenovo E95 and ThinkCentre M710s/M710t because systems were shipped from factory without completing BIOS/UEFI initialization process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3771 represents a critical security flaw in the boot process of specific Lenovo enterprise hardware systems including the E95 and ThinkCentre M710s/M710t models. This issue stems from incomplete BIOS/UEFI initialization procedures that occurred during factory manufacturing, creating persistent security weaknesses that compromise the integrity of the system's foundational security architecture. The root cause lies in the failure to properly initialize essential firmware components that are crucial for establishing a secure boot environment, leaving systems vulnerable to various attack vectors that target the early stages of system execution.
This vulnerability manifests as a failure in the system's ability to enforce proper boot integrity checks and authentication mechanisms that are typically established during the BIOS/UEFI initialization phase. The incomplete initialization process creates exploitable conditions where malicious actors can potentially bypass security measures that should normally be in place during system startup. The flaw operates at the firmware level, making it particularly dangerous as it affects the very foundation upon which all other security controls rely. This represents a fundamental failure in the security-by-design principles that should be implemented during manufacturing processes, creating a persistent backdoor that remains active throughout the system's operational lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple security concerns to encompass potential full system compromise and data breaches. Attackers who exploit this weakness can gain unauthorized access to systems during the boot process, potentially installing malicious firmware components or modifying system parameters before normal security controls are established. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-1072 which addresses incomplete initialization of security features, and represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where these systems are deployed. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities includes advanced persistent threats that specifically target firmware-level weaknesses, as documented in various ATT&CK framework techniques related to bootkit and firmware attacks.
Organizations utilizing affected Lenovo systems face substantial risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where physical security is paramount and where systems may be compromised through supply chain attacks or direct physical access. The remediation process requires firmware updates from Lenovo that properly complete the BIOS/UEFI initialization sequence, though this may involve complex procedures that require careful planning and execution to avoid system instability. Security professionals should implement additional monitoring and detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts, as traditional endpoint protection may not detect attacks that occur at the firmware level. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper manufacturing security practices and the need for comprehensive firmware security testing throughout the product development lifecycle, as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-147 and ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for secure system development.