CVE-2022-26861

Authenticated SMI input enables SMM code execution

Published Sep 6, 2022 · Updated May 27, 2026

Insecure Automated Optimization in Dell Client Platform BIOS before listed Dell updates allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via local SMI input. The BIOS accepts malicious SMI data without enforcing the required optimization safety checks, allowing execution in System Management Mode. Exploitation requires an authenticated local account and access to the Dell client, with confidentiality and integrity compromise but no reported availability impact.

CVSS severity7.9
High
EPSS probability0.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Insecure Automated Optimization in Dell Client Platform BIOS before listed Dell updates allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via local SMI input. The BIOS accepts malicious SMI data without enforcing the required optimization safety checks, allowing execution in System Management Mode. Exploitation requires an authenticated local account and access to the Dell client, with confidentiality and integrity compromise but no reported availability impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-26861
Published
Sep 6, 2022
Updated
May 27, 2026
Vendor
Dell
Product
Dell Client Platform BIOS
Classifications
CWE-1038, T1542.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 6, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 27, 2026Record 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 <Gen7, Gen8, Gen9, Gen10, Gen11, 21Q1-Q4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Dell · Dell Client Platform BIOSversion=unspecified <Gen7, Gen8, Gen9, Gen10, Gen11, 21Q1-Q4

Published CVSS scores

7.9DellCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N

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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-1038Insecure Automated Optimizations
T1542.001Pre-OS Boot: System Firmware

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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