CVE-2024-0163 in PowerEdge BIOS Intel 16G
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2024
Dell PowerEdge Server BIOS and Dell Precision Rack BIOS contain a TOCTOU race condition vulnerability. A local low privileged attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain access to otherwise unauthorized resources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2025
The CVE-2024-0163 vulnerability represents a critical race condition flaw within the BIOS implementations of Dell PowerEdge Server and Dell Precision Rack systems. This vulnerability manifests as a Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) weakness that fundamentally compromises the integrity of access control mechanisms within the firmware environment. The flaw exists in the manner in which the BIOS handles resource access validation and subsequent resource utilization, creating a temporal window where security checks can be bypassed through careful timing manipulation. The vulnerability impacts systems that rely on BIOS-level access controls for critical hardware resources, potentially allowing unauthorized access to system components that should remain restricted to privileged users or processes.
From a technical perspective, the TOCTOU vulnerability in these Dell BIOS implementations occurs when the system performs a security check on a resource or file and then subsequently accesses that same resource without revalidating the access permissions. This temporal gap between verification and utilization creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can modify the target resource between the check and the actual access attempt. The attack vector requires local system access with low privilege levels, making it particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by users who do not possess elevated system permissions. The vulnerability specifically affects the BIOS firmware components that manage hardware resource allocation and access control, which are fundamental to system security and integrity. This flaw aligns with CWE-367, which specifically addresses Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use race conditions, and represents a classic example of how firmware-level security mechanisms can be compromised through temporal inconsistencies in access control validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the system's firmware security architecture. A local low-privileged attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access restricted system resources, modify critical firmware components, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive hardware interfaces that are normally protected by BIOS-level access controls. This capability could enable attackers to manipulate system boot processes, access encrypted storage devices, or interfere with hardware security modules that protect sensitive data. The attack requires careful timing and system-level access, but once successful, it can provide persistent access to system resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where servers may be compromised and used as entry points for broader network attacks, as it provides a mechanism for attackers to maintain access even after initial system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0163 should focus on both immediate firmware updates and broader system hardening measures. Dell has released BIOS updates that address this specific race condition vulnerability, and system administrators should prioritize applying these patches to all affected PowerEdge and Precision Rack servers. The patch addresses the underlying TOCTOU condition by implementing proper access validation mechanisms that prevent the temporal window where the race condition can be exploited. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging of system BIOS access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability may leave subtle traces in system logs that can indicate unauthorized access attempts. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through race conditions, and emphasizes the importance of firmware security updates as part of comprehensive security operations. System administrators should also consider implementing BIOS write protection mechanisms and secure boot configurations to prevent unauthorized firmware modifications that could exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments of firmware components and access control implementations should be conducted to identify similar race condition vulnerabilities that may exist in other system components.