CVE-2021-38576 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE involves a BIOS bug in the firmware of a specific PC model that can lead to severe consequences like bricking the TPM permanently or causing temporary Denial of Service attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-38576

This section provides insights into the impact and technical details of CVE-2021-38576.

What is CVE-2021-38576?

A BIOS bug in firmware for a particular PC model leaves the Platform authorization value empty, allowing attackers to brick the TPM or cause DoS attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38576

The vulnerability can lead to severe consequences:

Permanent bricking of the TPM
Temporary Denial of Service to the system

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38576

Explore the technical specifics of CVE-2021-38576 in this section.

Vulnerability Description

The firmware bug allows the Platform authorization value to be empty, enabling attacks on the TPM and system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: EDK II
Vulnerable Versions: edk2-stable202105, edk2-stable202102, and more

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the empty Platform authorization value to brick the TPM and carry out DoS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-38576.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches and updates
Monitor system behavior for any signs of compromise

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and security software
Conduct security assessments and audits

Patching and Updates

Keep firmware up to date with the latest patches
Implement strong access controls and verification mechanisms