CVE-2022-24416 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-2022-24416 resides within Dell BIOS firmware, representing a critical improper input validation flaw that compromises system security at the firmware level. This weakness specifically affects the System Management Mode execution environment where the SMI handler lacks adequate validation of input parameters. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of data passed to the SMI handler, creating a potential attack vector that adversaries can exploit to execute arbitrary code within the SMM context. The flaw operates at the intersection of firmware security and system management, where legitimate system management interrupts can be manipulated to achieve unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows a malicious user with local authenticated access to leverage the SMI handler's insufficient input validation to inject and execute arbitrary code during SMM execution. The SMI handler in Dell BIOS firmware does not properly validate or sanitize input parameters passed to it, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks. When the SMI handler processes malformed or unvalidated input, it can lead to code execution in the SMM context where the processor operates with the highest privilege level. This architectural flaw enables attackers to bypass traditional operating system security mechanisms since SMM operates outside the normal execution environment of the OS. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20 as improper input validation, which aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1068 technique for exploit for privilege escalation through system management mode.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to gain persistent access to systems at the firmware level where traditional security controls are ineffective. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can achieve complete system compromise with elevated privileges that persist beyond operating system reboots, making detection and remediation particularly challenging. The attack requires local authenticated access and the ability to trigger SMI handlers, which can be achieved through legitimate system management interfaces or by exploiting other vulnerabilities that allow SMI injection. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible, as it allows for stealthy persistence mechanisms that can evade standard endpoint protection solutions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24416 should focus on firmware updates provided by Dell to address the input validation deficiencies in the SMI handler. Organizations should prioritize applying the latest BIOS updates from Dell that contain patches for this vulnerability, as these updates typically include proper input validation routines and enhanced SMI handler security measures. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous SMI activity patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, though such detection remains challenging due to the privileged nature of SMM operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of firmware security in the broader cybersecurity landscape, as it demonstrates how low-level system components can serve as attack vectors for sophisticated persistent threats. Regular firmware inventory management and vulnerability assessment procedures should include checks for known SMM vulnerabilities, as these represent critical attack surfaces that require specialized remediation approaches beyond traditional software patch management.