CVE-2023-28030 in Dell
Summary
by MITRE • 06/23/2023
Dell BIOS contains an improper input validation vulnerability. A local authenticated malicious user with administrator privileges may potentially exploit this vulnerability in order to modify a UEFI variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28030 resides within Dell BIOS firmware implementations and represents a critical weakness in input validation mechanisms that could enable privilege escalation and system compromise. This flaw specifically affects UEFI variable modification processes and manifests when authenticated administrative users attempt to manipulate system firmware parameters. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of input data passed to UEFI variable handling functions, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who already possess administrative credentials. The issue impacts Dell systems running affected BIOS versions where proper sanitization of user inputs is not enforced during UEFI variable operations. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, a fundamental weakness that allows malicious data to bypass security controls and potentially alter system-critical parameters. The vulnerability operates within the UEFI firmware environment where system boot processes and hardware initialization occur, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect system integrity from the earliest stages of operation. From an operational perspective, the impact extends beyond simple data modification to potentially enable complete system compromise through unauthorized firmware alterations, as UEFI variables control critical boot parameters and system configuration settings. The attack surface is limited to authenticated users with administrative privileges, but this requirement does not mitigate the severity given that administrative credentials can be compromised through various attack vectors including credential theft, social engineering, or exploitation of other system vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation tactic where attackers leverage existing administrative access to gain deeper system control. The vulnerability affects Dell systems across multiple product lines including laptops, desktops, and servers, with specific BIOS versions identified as vulnerable through Dell security advisories and firmware release notes. The risk assessment indicates that while exploitation requires existing administrative privileges, the potential impact includes complete system compromise through unauthorized firmware modification, enabling persistent backdoor access or bootkit installation that could evade traditional security controls. The technical implementation flaw involves insufficient bounds checking and validation of UEFI variable names and data payloads during firmware operations, allowing malicious input to be processed without proper sanitization. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to modify critical UEFI variables such as boot order configurations, system security policies, or hardware initialization parameters. The exploitation process would involve leveraging the existing administrative access to craft malicious UEFI variable modifications that bypass validation checks, potentially enabling persistent system compromise that survives operating system reboots. Dell has addressed this vulnerability through firmware updates that implement proper input validation for UEFI variable operations, requiring users to apply the latest BIOS releases to remediate the issue. Security professionals should prioritize this vulnerability in their assessment protocols, particularly in environments where administrative credentials may be compromised or where systems handle sensitive data requiring strong integrity guarantees. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in firmware environments where security controls must be enforced at the lowest system levels. Organizations should implement strict access control measures and credential management practices to minimize the risk of unauthorized administrative access, while also ensuring timely firmware updates are deployed across all affected Dell systems. The incident underscores the necessity of comprehensive firmware security assessments and the implementation of secure coding practices in embedded systems where input validation failures can have catastrophic consequences for system integrity and overall security posture.