CVE-2022-24030 in InsydeH2O
Summary
by MITRE • 02/03/2022
An issue was discovered in AhciBusDxe in Insyde InsydeH2O with kernel 5.1 through 5.5. An SMM memory corruption vulnerability allows an attacker to write fixed or predictable data to SMRAM. Exploiting this issue could lead to escalating privileges to SMM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24030 represents a critical security flaw within the AhciBusDxe driver component of Insyde InsydeH2O firmware implementations. This issue specifically affects kernel versions ranging from 5.1 through 5.5, creating a persistent threat vector that extends beyond traditional operating system boundaries into the firmware layer where system-level privileges are managed. The vulnerability resides in the Storage Matrix Manager SMM (System Management Mode) component, which operates with the highest privilege level in the system architecture, making it particularly dangerous when compromised.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) bus driver implementation. When processing certain storage controller commands, the driver fails to properly validate memory access patterns, leading to a condition where attacker-controlled data can be written to SMRAM (System Management Random Access Memory) with predictable or fixed values. This memory corruption occurs during SMM execution context where the processor operates with elevated privileges and has direct access to system hardware resources. The flaw creates a path for privilege escalation from user mode or kernel mode to System Management Mode, where attackers can execute code with the highest system privileges and bypass standard security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond typical software exploits, as it enables attackers to gain persistent control over system firmware. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows for complete system compromise, including the ability to modify firmware components, install rootkits, and maintain persistence across system reboots. The attack surface is particularly concerning because SMM operates outside the normal operating system execution environment, making detection and mitigation extremely difficult. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic case of memory corruption in privileged execution contexts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and firmware manipulation tactics, specifically targeting the system firmware layer as a means of establishing persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24030 require comprehensive firmware updates from InsydeH2O vendors, as the vulnerability exists at the firmware level rather than in user applications. System administrators should implement firmware integrity monitoring solutions and establish secure boot policies to prevent unauthorized firmware modifications. The remediation process involves updating to patched versions of the InsydeH2O firmware that address the memory handling flaws in AhciBusDxe driver. Additional defensive measures include enabling SMM memory protection features when available, implementing hardware security modules, and conducting regular firmware vulnerability assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious SMM activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of firmware security in modern computing environments and highlights the need for comprehensive security approaches that extend beyond traditional operating system boundaries to include the entire system stack including firmware components.