CVE-2021-46769Network attack vector

Code execution via unvalidated DMA copy syscalls

Published May 9, 2023 · Updated Jan 28, 2025

Insufficient input validation in the ASP Bootloader on 2nd and 3rd Gen AMD EPYC processors allows attackers to execute code. The bootloader accepts syscall inputs without sufficient validation and uses them to direct arbitrary DMA copies. Exploitation requires privileged access to invoke the affected syscall and can place attacker-controlled code into executable memory.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.78%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Insufficient input validation in the ASP Bootloader on 2nd and 3rd Gen AMD EPYC processors allows attackers to execute code. The bootloader accepts syscall inputs without sufficient validation and uses them to direct arbitrary DMA copies. Exploitation requires privileged access to invoke the affected syscall and can place attacker-controlled code into executable memory.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-46769
Published
May 9, 2023
Updated
Jan 28, 2025
Vendor
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Product
3rd Gen AMD EPYC Processors
Classifications
CWE-20
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 9, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 28, 2025Record 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=various

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. · 3rd Gen AMD EPYC Processorsversion=various
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. · 2nd Gen AMD EPYC Processorsversion=various

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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.

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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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation

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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