CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-27537NVD status: Modified

HP PC BIOS: Improper Control of Generation of Code

CVE-2022-27537 is a high-severity improper control of generation of code vulnerability in HP PC BIOS from HP, 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. Affected HP PC BIOS versions: See HP Security Bulletin reference for affected versions.. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.33% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of HP PC BIOS you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on support.hp.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
HPHP PC BIOSSee HP Security Bulletin reference for affected versions.Not stated
HPDragonfly Folio G3 2-in-1 Firmware01.01.03Not stated
HPElite Dragonfly Firmware01.21.01Not stated
HPElite Dragonfly G3 Firmware01.03.01Not stated
HPElite Dragonfly G2 Firmware01.10.00Not stated
HPElite Dragonfly Max Firmware01.10.00Not stated
HPElite Folio 2-in-1 Firmwarenot_impactedNot stated
HPElite X2 1012 G1 Firmware1.57Not stated
HPElite X2 1012 G2 Firmware1.43Not stated
HPElite X2 1013 G3 Firmware01.21.01Not stated
HPElite X2 G4 Firmware01.21.01Not stated
HPElite X2 G8 Firmware01.10.00Not stated
HPElite X360 1040 G9 2-in-1 Firmware01.03.01Not stated
HPElite X360 830 G9 2-in-1 Firmware01.03.01Not stated
HPElitebook 1030 G1 Firmware1.57Not stated
HPElitebook 1040 G9 Firmware01.03.01Not stated
HPElitebook 1040 G3 Firmware1.57Not stated
HPElitebook 1040 G4 Firmware1.44Not stated
HPElitebook 1050 G1 Firmware01.22.00Not stated
HPElitebook 630 G9 Firmware01.04.00Not stated
HPElitebook 640 G9 Firmware01.04.00Not stated
HPElitebook 645 G9 Firmware01.08.01Not stated
HPElitebook 650 G9 Firmware01.04.00Not stated
HPElitebook 655 G9 Firmware01.08.01Not stated
HPElitebook 735 G5 Firmware01.21.01Not stated

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 systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.8HighNVD
CVSS 3.17.8HighCISA (ADP)

Official description

Potential vulnerabilities have been identified in the system BIOS of certain HP PC products, which might allow arbitrary code execution, escalation of privilege, denial of service, and information disclosure. HP is releasing BIOS updates to mitigate these potential vulnerabilities.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Control of Generation of Code

The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Refactor your program so that you do not have to dynamically generate code.
  • Run your code in a jail or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict which code can be executed by your product. Examples include the Unix chroot jail and AppArmor. In general, managed code may provide some protection. This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of your application may still be subject to compromise. Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
  • Use dynamic tools and techniques that interact with the product using large test suites with many diverse inputs, such as fuzz testing (fuzzing), robustness testing, and fault injection. The product's operation may slow down, but it should not become unstable, crash, or generate incorrect results.

More Improper Control of Generation of Code vulnerabilities (CWE-94)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in HP PC BIOS

All HP PC BIOS vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Control of Generation of Code vulnerabilities

Spotted an error? Tell us.