SMRAM code execution via stack buffer overflow
Published Oct 12, 2022 · Updated May 15, 2025
Stack-based buffer overflow in Dell Client Platform BIOS allows local users with administrator access to execute code in SMRAM through an SMI. An undisclosed SMI handler fails to bound attacker-controlled SMI input, overflowing a stack buffer inside System Management Mode. Administrator-level local access is required; successful exploitation changes SMRAM execution and can interrupt the affected system, without reported data disclosure.
Summary
What happened
Stack-based buffer overflow in Dell Client Platform BIOS allows local users with administrator access to execute code in SMRAM through an SMI. An undisclosed SMI handler fails to bound attacker-controlled SMI input, overflowing a stack buffer inside System Management Mode. Administrator-level local access is required; successful exploitation changes SMRAM execution and can interrupt the affected system, without reported data disclosure.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-32493
- Published
- Oct 12, 2022
- Updated
- May 15, 2025
- Vendor
- Dell
- Product
- Dell Client Platform BIOS
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 12, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 15, 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.
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <XPS 8940 BIOS (version: 2.5.1)
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
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.
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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