CVE-2021-41289

Boot failure via BIOS DataBuffer overwrite

Published Nov 15, 2021 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Improper buffer-bound restriction in ASUSTeK Computer Inc. P453UJ BIOS 311 allows local users to modify firmware and prevent booting. The designated Memory DataBuffer accepts replacement or filler content that modifies the BIOS and defeats boot-time integrity verification. General-user permissions and local access are required, and successful exploitation leaves the notebook unable to boot.

CVSS severity6.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.20%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper buffer-bound restriction in ASUSTeK Computer Inc. P453UJ BIOS 311 allows local users to modify firmware and prevent booting. The designated Memory DataBuffer accepts replacement or filler content that modifies the BIOS and defeats boot-time integrity verification. General-user permissions and local access are required, and successful exploitation leaves the notebook unable to boot.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-41289
Published
Nov 15, 2021
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Product
P453UJ BIOS
Classifications
CWE-119, T1495
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 15, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 17, 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=311

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. · P453UJ BIOSversion=311

Published CVSS scores

3.6NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P
6.3TWCERT/CCCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
7.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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.

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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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
T1495Firmware Corruption

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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