CVE-2021-26361 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-26361, a vulnerability affecting AMD Ryzen™ Series and Athlon™ Series processors, potentially leading to information disclosure.

Understanding CVE-2021-26361

This section delves into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-26361.

What is CVE-2021-26361?

CVE-2021-26361 involves a security issue where a malicious or compromised User Application (UApp) or AGESA Boot Loader (ABL) can be exploited to exfiltrate arbitrary memory from the ASP stage 2 bootloader, which could result in information disclosure.

The Impact of CVE-2021-26361

The vulnerability allows an attacker to access sensitive information from the ASP stage 2 bootloader, potentially leading to data leakage and information disclosure.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-26361

This section provides insights into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the ability of malicious or compromised UApps or ABL to extract arbitrary memory from the ASP stage 2 bootloader, enabling unauthorized information access.

Affected Systems and Versions

AMD Ryzen™ Series and Athlon™ Series processors are impacted by this vulnerability across various versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by utilizing malicious User Applications or AGESA Boot Loaders to retrieve sensitive memory content from the ASP stage 2 bootloader.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to enhance protection against CVE-2021-26361.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should apply security patches provided by AMD promptly. Additionally, ensure that User Applications and Boot Loaders are from trusted sources and regularly update system components.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a robust security posture by regularly updating software, maintaining strong access controls, and conducting periodic security audits to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from AMD to patch vulnerabilities promptly and enhance the overall security posture of affected systems.