CVE-2017-3771 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The boot process of Lenovo E95 and ThinkCentre M710s/M710t systems is not adequately secured due to incomplete BIOS/UEFI initialization, potentially allowing unauthorized bootloaders to run.

Understanding CVE-2017-3771

This CVE highlights a vulnerability in the boot process of specific Lenovo systems, impacting their security.

What is CVE-2017-3771?

The vulnerability arises from incomplete BIOS/UEFI initialization during the manufacturing stage of Lenovo E95 and ThinkCentre M710s/M710t systems.

The Impact of CVE-2017-3771

The incomplete initialization could allow unauthorized bootloaders to run during system boot, reducing protection against rootkits.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-3771

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The boot process of Lenovo E95 and ThinkCentre M710s/M710t systems is not sufficiently secured due to incomplete BIOS/UEFI initialization.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected systems: Lenovo E95, ThinkCentre M710s/M710t
Vulnerable versions: Earlier than 1.3.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized bootloaders may exploit the incomplete initialization to run during system boot, potentially compromising system security.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-3771 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update BIOS/UEFI to version 1.3.2 or later.
Implement secure boot mechanisms.
Monitor system boot processes for unauthorized activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update system firmware and software.
Conduct security assessments to identify vulnerabilities.
Educate users on secure boot practices.

Patching and Updates

Lenovo may release patches or updates to address the vulnerability. Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly.