NVIDIA DGX servers: Improper Prevention of Lock Bit Modification
CVE-2022-42285 is a high-severity improper prevention of lock bit modification vulnerability in NVIDIA DGX servers from NVIDIA, 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 NVIDIA DGX servers versions: All SBIOS firmware versions prior to 1.18. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.16% 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 Sbios to 1.18 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on nvidia.custhelp.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA | NVIDIA DGX servers | All SBIOS firmware versions prior to 1.18 | Not stated |
| NVIDIA | Sbios | before 1.18 | 1.18 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. 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 | 6.0 | Medium | CNA (nvidia.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
DGX A100 SBIOS contains a vulnerability in the Pre-EFI Initialization (PEI)phase, where a privileged user can disable SPI flash protection, which may lead to denial of service, escalation of privileges, or data tampering.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Prevention of Lock Bit Modification
The product uses a trusted lock bit for restricting access to registers, address regions, or other resources, but the product does not prevent the value of the lock bit from being modified after it has been set.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Security lock bit protections must be reviewed for design inconsistency and common weaknesses. Security lock programming flow and lock properties must be tested in pre-silicon and post-silicon testing.
More Improper Prevention of Lock Bit Modification vulnerabilities (CWE-1231)
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
Other vulnerabilities in NVIDIA DGX servers
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.