CVE-2023-47252 in InsydeH2O
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2024
An issue was discovered in PnpSmm in Insyde InsydeH2O with kernel 5.0 through 5.6. There is a possible out-of-bounds access in the SMM communication buffer, leading to tampering. The PNP-related SMI sub-functions do not verify data size before getting it from the communication buffer, which could lead to possible circumstances where the data immediately following the command buffer could be destroyed with a fixed value. This is fixed in kernel 5.2 v05.28.45, kernel 5.3 v05.37.45, kernel 5.4 v05.45.45, kernel 5.5 v05.53.45, and kernel 5.6 v05.60.45.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-47252 resides within the PnpSmm module of Insyde InsydeH2O firmware implementations, specifically affecting kernel versions 5.0 through 5.6. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the System Management Mode communication mechanism that governs hardware Plug and Play operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the SMM communication buffer handling, creating a scenario where malicious actors could potentially manipulate system memory through carefully crafted SMI commands. The root cause lies in the PNP-related SMI sub-functions that fail to properly validate the data size before extracting information from the communication buffer, establishing a clear pathway for out-of-bounds memory access. This flaw operates at the intersection of firmware security and low-level system operations, where the SMM environment maintains privileged execution contexts that can directly influence system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for a specific type of buffer overflow condition where the system reads data beyond the intended buffer boundaries. When the SMI handler processes PNP-related commands, it does not validate whether the incoming data fits within the allocated buffer space, enabling a scenario where subsequent memory locations could be overwritten with predetermined values. This particular memory corruption pattern manifests as a fixed-value overwrite operation that can potentially destroy critical system data or executable code, fundamentally compromising system stability and security. The vulnerability specifically affects the communication buffer used for SMI handlers, where the lack of bounds checking creates a predictable attack surface that could be exploited by attackers with SMI access privileges. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, both of which are classified as high-risk vulnerabilities in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can potentially enable privilege escalation and persistent system compromise within the SMM environment. Attackers who can trigger SMI handlers with malicious payloads could manipulate critical system components, potentially gaining root-level access to firmware operations and compromising the integrity of the entire system security model. The vulnerability affects the fundamental communication mechanisms between the operating system and firmware components, creating a potential attack vector that could be leveraged for advanced persistent threats or system takeover operations. The memory destruction pattern described in the vulnerability can lead to system instability, data corruption, and potentially complete system compromise, as the SMM environment operates with the highest privilege levels and can directly manipulate system hardware and memory. This issue represents a significant threat to system integrity because SMM components are designed to operate outside normal operating system security boundaries, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-47252 require immediate firmware updates to the patched kernel versions mentioned in the advisory, specifically versions 5.2 v05.28.45, 5.3 v05.37.45, 5.4 v05.45.45, 5.5 v05.53.45, and 5.6 v05.60.45. Organizations should prioritize updating firmware implementations to ensure protection against this vulnerability, as the fix addresses the core buffer validation issue through proper bounds checking mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1068 Local Privilege Escalation and T1543 Create or Modify System Process, as it enables attackers to gain elevated privileges through firmware manipulation. Additional protective measures include implementing firmware integrity monitoring, restricting SMI handler access, and conducting thorough security assessments of firmware implementations to identify similar validation flaws. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in privileged execution contexts and demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security testing of firmware components, particularly those operating in SMM environments where traditional operating system protections do not apply.