CVE-2021-41289 in P453UJ
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2021
ASUS P453UJ contains the Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer vulnerability. With a general user’s permission, local attackers can modify the BIOS by replacing or filling in the content of the designated Memory DataBuffer, which causing a failure of integrity verification and further resulting in a failure to boot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-41289 represents a critical security flaw in ASUS P453UJ laptop systems that falls under the category of improper restriction of operations within memory buffer bounds. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that govern how memory operations are executed within the system's firmware environment. The vulnerability specifically affects the BIOS update process where attackers can manipulate designated memory data buffers through legitimate user permissions, creating a pathway for unauthorized system modification. The underlying technical flaw manifests when the system fails to properly enforce boundaries on memory operations, allowing local attackers with minimal privileges to overwrite critical firmware components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption as it fundamentally compromises the system's integrity verification mechanisms. When attackers successfully modify the BIOS through memory buffer manipulation, they can bypass the standard verification processes that ensure firmware integrity. This disruption leads to a complete system failure where the device becomes unable to boot properly, effectively rendering the laptop unusable. The attack vector requires only general user permissions, making it particularly dangerous as it does not require elevated privileges or specialized attack tools. This accessibility significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact across various deployment scenarios.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local system privileges to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The flaw demonstrates how insufficient memory safety controls in firmware can create persistent attack vectors that remain undetected during normal system operation. The integrity verification failure represents a critical breakdown in the system's security architecture, as it allows attackers to modify core system components without triggering the appropriate security responses. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust memory management practices in firmware environments where the consequences of buffer overflows can extend far beyond traditional application-level security breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-41289 should focus on implementing enhanced memory bounds checking mechanisms within the BIOS update process and strengthening the integrity verification procedures. System administrators should ensure that firmware updates are performed through secure channels with proper authentication and verification processes. The implementation of read-only memory protections for critical firmware components can prevent unauthorized modifications. Additionally, regular firmware updates from ASUS should be prioritized to address known vulnerabilities, while system monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual memory access patterns that might indicate attempted buffer overflows. Organizations should also consider implementing firmware integrity monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on unauthorized modifications to BIOS components, providing an additional layer of protection against this class of vulnerability.