CVE-2022-29275 in insyde
Summary
by MITRE • 11/16/2022
In UsbCoreDxe, untrusted input may allow SMRAM or OS memory tampering Use of untrusted pointers could allow OS or SMRAM memory tampering leading to escalation of privileges. This issue was discovered by Insyde during security review. It was fixed in: Kernel 5.0: version 05.09.21 Kernel 5.1: version 05.17.21 Kernel 5.2: version 05.27.21 Kernel 5.3: version 05.36.21 Kernel 5.4: version 05.44.21 Kernel 5.5: version 05.52.21 https://www.insyde.com/security-pledge/SA-2022058
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-29275 resides within the UsbCoreDxe component of UEFI firmware implementations, specifically affecting systems that utilize Insyde firmware versions prior to the listed patches. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the USB core driver that operates at the firmware level, where untrusted input processing creates opportunities for memory manipulation attacks. The vulnerability manifests when the firmware fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters received from USB devices, potentially allowing maliciously crafted USB traffic to influence the execution flow or memory contents of the system. The issue was uncovered through systematic security review processes conducted by Insyde, highlighting the importance of firmware security auditing in modern computing environments where firmware serves as the foundation for system security.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of untrusted pointers within the USB core driver implementation, which aligns with CWE-476, specifically the use of null pointers without proper validation. When USB devices communicate with the system through the UsbCoreDxe driver, they can potentially provide malformed or malicious data that, when processed without adequate input sanitization, creates pathways for memory corruption. This vulnerability particularly affects the Secure Memory Ranges (SMRAM) and operating system memory spaces, where unauthorized access or modification can lead to complete system compromise. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation in firmware code, where the assumption that USB device inputs are trustworthy leads to dangerous memory operations that can be exploited by attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential complete system compromise through memory tampering. Attackers who can successfully exploit this vulnerability gain the ability to manipulate SMRAM contents, which typically contains sensitive system information and security-critical code that operates outside the normal memory protection mechanisms. Additionally, the vulnerability enables OS memory tampering, potentially allowing attackers to modify kernel structures, inject malicious code, or bypass security features such as kernel address space layout randomization. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where firmware-level security is critical, such as enterprise systems, servers, or devices with high-security requirements. The attack vector requires physical access to the target system or the ability to present malicious USB devices, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for execution through USB devices and T1547.001 for privilege escalation through kernel exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to the patched versions specified by Insyde, ensuring that all systems running affected firmware versions receive the necessary security patches. Organizations should prioritize updating firmware across all managed devices, particularly those in critical infrastructure or high-security environments where the risk of physical access attacks is elevated. System administrators should also implement USB device whitelisting policies and monitor for unauthorized USB device connections, as these measures can help prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a firmware-level issue means that traditional operating system security measures may not be sufficient to prevent exploitation, requiring a comprehensive approach that includes both firmware and operating system security updates. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns or unexpected system behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. The fix implemented by Insyde addresses the core validation issues in the UsbCoreDxe driver, ensuring that all input from USB devices is properly sanitized before processing, thereby preventing the memory tampering conditions that could lead to privilege escalation or system compromise.