CVE-2022-31640Public exploit

SMM code execution via unvalidated protocol pointer

Published Jun 14, 2023 · Updated Dec 30, 2024

Improper input validation in HP PC BIOS allows local users with high privileges to execute arbitrary code in SMM through a crafted SMI. A child SW SMI handler calls an overwriteable Boot Services or EFI_PCD_PROTOCOL function pointer without ensuring that the target remains protected. Ring 0 access is required; successful exploitation gains ring -2 execution and permits persistent firmware modification by bypassing SPI flash protections.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.17%
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 HP PC BIOS allows local users with high privileges to execute arbitrary code in SMM through a crafted SMI. A child SW SMI handler calls an overwriteable Boot Services or EFI_PCD_PROTOCOL function pointer without ensuring that the target remains protected. Ring 0 access is required; successful exploitation gains ring -2 execution and permits persistent firmware modification by bypassing SPI flash protections.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-31640
Published
Jun 14, 2023
Updated
Dec 30, 2024
Vendor
Plantronics
Product
HP PC BIOS
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 14, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Dec 30, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=See HP Security Bulletin reference for affected versions.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Plantronics · HP PC BIOSversion=See HP Security Bulletin reference for affected versions.

Published CVSS scores

7.5HPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5BinarlyCVSS: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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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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