CVE-2022-24415 in Dell
Summary
by MITRE • 03/12/2022
Dell BIOS contains an improper input validation vulnerability. A local authenticated malicious user may potentially exploit this vulnerability by using an SMI to gain arbitrary code execution during SMM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24415 resides within Dell BIOS firmware components, representing a critical weakness in the system's input validation mechanisms. This flaw manifests as an improper input validation vulnerability that affects the Secure Monitor Mode (SMM) execution environment, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors with local authenticated access. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of SMI (System Management Interrupt) calls within the BIOS firmware, where insufficient validation allows for potentially malicious inputs to be processed without proper sanitization. According to CWE-20, this corresponds to an improper input validation issue that enables attackers to manipulate system behavior through crafted inputs. The vulnerability operates at the firmware level, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional operating system security controls and execute code with the highest privilege levels.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess local authenticated access to the system, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely. Once authenticated, a malicious user can leverage SMI mechanisms to trigger the vulnerability, potentially gaining arbitrary code execution during SMM operations. This execution context provides the attacker with elevated privileges that operate outside the normal operating system boundaries, effectively allowing them to execute code with system-level privileges. The SMM environment typically operates with the highest privilege level, making this vector particularly concerning for attackers seeking persistent system compromise. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to inject malicious code into the SMM execution context, where it can execute with unrestricted access to system hardware and memory. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and specifically addresses the exploitation of legitimate system processes to gain elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-24415 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the system's firmware security architecture. The potential for arbitrary code execution during SMM operations means that an attacker could establish persistent backdoors, modify system behavior, or extract sensitive information without detection by traditional security mechanisms. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the system's boot process and firmware security, potentially allowing attackers to modify critical system components or disable security features. The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in complete system compromise, with the attacker maintaining control even after system reboots or operating system updates. The nature of SMM execution makes detection particularly challenging, as these operations occur outside the normal operating system monitoring capabilities and can persist across system restarts. Organizations with affected Dell systems face significant risk of advanced persistent threats that could remain undetected for extended periods, potentially compromising sensitive data and system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24415 should prioritize firmware updates from Dell, as these patches typically address the input validation flaws within the BIOS components. System administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized local access to affected systems, as the vulnerability requires local authentication to exploit. The implementation of firmware integrity checking mechanisms and secure boot configurations can help detect unauthorized modifications to the BIOS components. Additionally, organizations should consider network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual SMI activity or unauthorized system modifications. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include firmware-level scanning to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing defensive measures such as monitoring for suspicious SMI activity and restricting local access privileges to minimize the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also maintain detailed system baseline configurations to quickly identify any unauthorized changes to firmware or system behavior that might indicate successful exploitation attempts.