CPG BIOS: Improper Authentication
CVE-2022-26858 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in CPG BIOS from Dell, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version All as the first without the flaw, so updating CPG BIOS to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.17% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update CPG BIOS to All or a later version.
- Update Alienware M15 R6 Firmware to 1.8.0 or a later version.
- Update Chengming 3980 Firmware to 2.21.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on dell.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 35 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.1 | Medium | CNA (emc.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
Dell BIOS versions contain an Improper Authentication vulnerability. A locally authenticated malicious user could potentially exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious input to an SMI in order to bypass security controls.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in CPG BIOS
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.