CVE-2014-8271

Privilege escalation via out-of-bounds variable search

Published Feb 6, 2020 · Updated Aug 6, 2024

Buffer overflow in EDK II before SVN 16280 allows physically proximate attackers to gain privileges during UEFI variable reclamation. The Reclaim function searches beyond the flash-backed variable-storage boundary and processes attacker-planted variable headers located after the valid region. Exploitation requires a separate flaw that permits prior SPI-flash modification; successful use can reflash platform firmware, escalate privileges, or render the system inoperable.

CVSS severity6.8
Medium
EPSS probability0.40%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Buffer overflow in EDK II before SVN 16280 allows physically proximate attackers to gain privileges during UEFI variable reclamation. The Reclaim function searches beyond the flash-backed variable-storage boundary and processes attacker-planted variable headers located after the valid region. Exploitation requires a separate flaw that permits prior SPI-flash modification; successful use can reflash platform firmware, escalate privileges, or render the system inoperable.

The record

CVE
CVE-2014-8271
Published
Feb 6, 2020
Updated
Aug 6, 2024
Vendor
TianoCore
Product
EDK II
Classifications
CWE-120, T1542.001
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 6, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 6, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=before SVN 16280

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

TianoCore · EDK IIversion=before SVN 16280

Published CVSS scores

6.0CERT/CCAV:L/AC:H/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C
5.1CERT/CCAV:L/AC:H/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C/E:U/RL:ND/RC:ND
4.6NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
6.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1542.001Pre-OS Boot: System Firmware

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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