CVE-2021-36342

SMRAM code execution via improperly validated SMI

Published Jan 24, 2022 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Improper input validation in Dell Client Platform BIOS before 1.14 allows local users to execute arbitrary code in SMRAM via an SMI. The advisory identifies the SMI input-validation path but does not disclose the affected handler, input field, or omitted validation operation. Exploitation requires a local authenticated user with high privileges; successful code execution occurs inside protected SMRAM.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.25%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Dell Client Platform BIOS before 1.14 allows local users to execute arbitrary code in SMRAM via an SMI. The advisory identifies the SMI input-validation path but does not disclose the affected handler, input field, or omitted validation operation. Exploitation requires a local authenticated user with high privileges; successful code execution occurs inside protected SMRAM.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-36342
Published
Jan 24, 2022
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Dell
Product
Dell Client Platform BIOS
Classifications
CWE-119, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 24, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 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=unspecified <1.14

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Dell · Dell Client Platform BIOSversion=unspecified <1.14

Published CVSS scores

7.2NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
6.4NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5DellCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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