CVE-2023-28075 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-28075 was assigned by Dell and published on August 16, 2023. It pertains to a vulnerability in Dell BIOS that could potentially allow a local authenticated malicious user to execute arbitrary code on the system.

Understanding CVE-2023-28075

This vulnerability involves a Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition in the BIOS of Dell systems. By exploiting this vulnerability, a malicious user with physical access to the system could gain arbitrary code execution capabilities.

What is CVE-2023-28075?

The CVE-2023-28075 vulnerability specifically targets Dell BIOS, allowing a local authenticated attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code on the system through a precisely timed DMA transaction during an SMM.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28075

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium severity with a CVSS base score of 6.9. It poses a high risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems, with high privileges required for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28075

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the Dell BIOS, where a Time-of-check Time-of-use flaw can be exploited by a local authenticated malicious user to execute arbitrary code on the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of the CPG BIOS by Dell are affected by this vulnerability, making a wide range of systems vulnerable to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a malicious user with physical access to the system, using a specifically timed DMA transaction during an SMI to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-28075, several steps can be taken to mitigate the risks associated with this BIOS vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Dell recommends applying the necessary security update provided to mitigate the vulnerability.
Limit physical access to systems and ensure only trusted individuals have access to critical hardware components.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly check for BIOS updates and apply them promptly to ensure that known vulnerabilities are patched.
Implement secure boot mechanisms and access controls to prevent unauthorized access to the system.

Patching and Updates

Dell has released a security update addressing the CVE-2023-28075 vulnerability. It is crucial for users to download and apply this patch to secure their systems against potential exploitation.