CVE-2023-45078 : Security Advisory and Response

A memory leakage vulnerability in the DustFilterAlertSmm SMM driver has been reported, allowing a local attacker with elevated privileges to write to NVRAM variables. Lenovo has acknowledged the issue and provided a solution for affected systems.

Understanding CVE-2023-45078

This section will provide an overview of the CVE-2023-45078 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2023-45078?

CVE-2023-45078 is a memory leakage vulnerability in the DustFilterAlertSmm SMM driver. It enables a local attacker with elevated privileges to write to NVRAM variables, potentially compromising system integrity.

The Impact of CVE-2023-45078

The vulnerability has a base score of 6.7, indicating a medium severity level. It poses a high risk of confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, especially on affected Lenovo BIOS systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-45078

This section will delve into the specifics of the vulnerability, including the description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a local attacker with elevated privileges to manipulate NVRAM variables through the DustFilterAlertSmm SMM driver, leading to potential system compromise.

Affected Systems and Versions

Lenovo BIOS systems running various versions are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing them to potential attacks leveraging NVRAM manipulation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with elevated privileges can exploit this vulnerability locally to write to NVRAM variables, potentially gaining unauthorized system access or control.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will outline the steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-45078 vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their system firmware to the recommended version or newer as specified in Lenovo's advisory to address the vulnerability promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitoring for security updates, implementing least privilege access controls, and conducting security assessments can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Lenovo has provided a solution to mitigate the CVE-2023-45078 vulnerability. Users should apply the recommended system firmware update to secure their affected systems against potential exploits.