CVE-2024-8105 in Product (PKfail)
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2024
A vulnerability exists in UEFI implementations that use a hard-coded software-based Platform Key (PK). An attacker in possession of the corresponding PK private key can sign arbitrary UEFI executables or firmware components, causing them to be trusted by affected systems and potentially bypassing UEFI Secure Boot trust validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8105 represents a critical weakness in UEFI firmware security infrastructure centered around the improper handling of Platform Keys. This flaw fundamentally undermines the trust model that UEFI systems rely upon for secure boot processes and firmware integrity validation. The issue stems from the use of an insecure Platform Key that has been compromised through various attack vectors including but not limited to credential theft, insider threats, or inadequate key management practices. When an attacker successfully compromises the private key component of a Platform Key, they gain the ability to generate digitally signed UEFI firmware components that appear legitimate to the system's security mechanisms, effectively bypassing all security controls designed to prevent unauthorized modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates at the core of UEFI secure boot protocols where Platform Keys serve as the foundation for establishing trust relationships between firmware components and the system's security policy. When a compromised private key is utilized, attackers can create malicious UEFI drivers, firmware updates, or bootloaders that are cryptographically signed using the trusted Platform Key. This creates a sophisticated attack vector that can persist across system reboots and potentially survive operating system reinstalls, as the malicious code is signed with legitimate credentials that the system recognizes as trustworthy. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where Platform Keys are not properly secured or rotated, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple systems share similar key infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-8105 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental breach of system integrity that can enable persistent threat actor presence within network environments. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can establish rootkits that operate below the operating system level, making detection extremely difficult and potentially enabling lateral movement throughout the network. The compromise of Platform Keys can affect multiple systems simultaneously if they share the same key infrastructure, creating opportunities for widespread infiltration and data exfiltration. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-310 and CWE-311 categories related to cryptographic weaknesses and the use of insecure cryptographic algorithms or keys, while also aligning with ATT&CK techniques such as T1014 (Rootkit) and T1542.001 (Pre-OS Boot) that focus on establishing persistence and maintaining access at the firmware level.
Organizations must implement immediate remediation measures including the immediate revocation and replacement of compromised Platform Keys, implementation of proper key lifecycle management protocols, and enhanced monitoring of UEFI firmware integrity. The mitigation strategy should encompass regular key rotation schedules, secure key storage mechanisms such as hardware security modules, and comprehensive system auditing to detect unauthorized key usage. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing firmware integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to UEFI components and establish secure boot policies that require additional verification steps beyond simple signature validation. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of treating UEFI firmware security as a foundational element of overall cybersecurity posture, particularly in environments where persistent threats and advanced persistent threats are a concern.