CPG BIOS: Insecure Automated Optimizations
CVE-2022-26861 is a high-severity insecure automated optimizations 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 Gen7, Gen8, Gen9, Gen10, Gen11, 21Q1-Q4 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 0.22% 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 Gen7, Gen8, Gen9, Gen10, Gen11, 21Q1-Q4 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 | 7.9 | High | CNA (emc.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
Dell BIOS versions contain an Insecure Automated Optimization vulnerability. A local authenticated malicious user could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious input via SMI to obtain arbitrary code execution during SMM.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Insecure Automated Optimizations
The product uses a mechanism that automatically optimizes code, e.g. to improve a characteristic such as performance, but the optimizations can have an unintended side effect that might violate an intended security assumption.
More Insecure Automated Optimizations vulnerabilities (CWE-1038)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- 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
Spotted an error? Tell us.