CVE-2022-34401 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2022-34401, a vulnerability found in Dell BIOS.

Understanding CVE-2022-34401

CVE-2022-34401 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability present in Dell BIOS. Local authenticated malicious users could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in SMRAM.

What is CVE-2022-34401?

Dell BIOS contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local authenticated malicious users to execute arbitrary code by manipulating parameters within SMI.

The Impact of CVE-2022-34401

The vulnerability poses a high risk with a CVSS base score of 7.5, affecting the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of the system. The attack complexity is considered high as it requires local access and high privileges, leading to potential arbitrary code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-34401

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Dell BIOS arises due to a stack-based buffer overflow, allowing attackers to exploit SMM software to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code in SMRAM.

Affected Systems and Versions

Dell BIOS version 1.4.3 is confirmed to be impacted by CVE-2022-34401.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local access and high privileges to send manipulated input to certain parameters through SMI, enabling the execution of arbitrary code in SMRAM.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Dell to patch the vulnerability in affected BIOS versions.
Regularly monitor Dell's security advisories for any new updates or patches related to this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enforce strong access controls and limit privileges to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and exploitation of vulnerabilities.
Implement regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential security gaps.

Patching and Updates

Keep all BIOS systems up to date with the latest firmware releases from Dell to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.