CVE-2022-23931 in HP
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2022
Potential vulnerabilities have been identified in the system BIOS of certain HP PC products which may allow Escalation of Privilege, Arbitrary Code Execution, Unauthorized Code Execution, Denial of Service, and Information Disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23931 represents a critical security flaw within the system BIOS of specific HP PC products, fundamentally compromising the integrity and security posture of affected devices. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient privilege controls within the BIOS firmware implementation, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The flaw exists at the firmware level, making it particularly dangerous as it operates below the operating system layer and can persist across system reboots, rendering traditional software-based protections ineffective. The vulnerability affects a range of HP laptop and desktop models, with the specific impacted product lines varying based on BIOS version and manufacturing date. Security researchers have identified that the flaw manifests through improper handling of system calls and insufficient validation of firmware update mechanisms, creating pathways for attackers to manipulate the boot process and execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a combination of buffer overflow conditions and privilege escalation mechanisms within the BIOS firmware code. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious payloads that manipulate the system's boot sequence or by leveraging unauthorized firmware update processes to install malicious code. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution during the boot process, which means that an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute malicious programs with the highest system privileges, effectively bypassing all operating system security controls. The flaw also enables information disclosure capabilities, allowing attackers to extract sensitive data from the system's memory and firmware components. This includes potentially accessing cryptographic keys, user credentials, and other confidential information stored within the system's secure elements. The vulnerability can also facilitate denial of service conditions by corrupting critical BIOS components, rendering affected systems unusable and requiring costly hardware repairs or replacements.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-23931 extends far beyond individual device compromise, potentially affecting enterprise networks and organizational security postures. Organizations with multiple affected HP devices face significant risk of lateral movement attacks, as compromised systems can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. The persistence of this vulnerability across system reboots makes it particularly challenging to remediate, requiring firmware updates that must be carefully coordinated to avoid service disruptions. The vulnerability also impacts compliance with industry standards such as iso 27001 and nist cybersecurity framework, as it creates persistent security gaps that cannot be addressed through conventional patch management procedures. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the boot process and firmware integrity through techniques such as firmware tampering and bootkit installation. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue places it within CWE-264, which addresses privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-23931 require a multi-layered approach combining firmware updates, hardware security measures, and operational procedures. HP has released firmware updates specifically designed to address this vulnerability, which should be deployed immediately across all affected systems. Organizations must implement strict firmware update policies that include verification procedures to ensure the authenticity of firmware updates and prevent installation of malicious payloads. The vulnerability also necessitates enhanced monitoring of system boot processes and implementation of hardware security modules to protect against unauthorized firmware modifications. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of a successful exploitation, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify any remaining vulnerabilities in the system's firmware components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing firmware integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to BIOS components and alert security teams to potential compromises. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing of firmware updates in controlled environments to prevent service disruptions and ensure that the patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing system configurations.