Privileged SMRAM code execution via malformed SMI input
Published Oct 12, 2022 · Updated May 16, 2025
Improper input validation in Dell Client Platform BIOS before 1.2.15 allows local users to execute arbitrary code in SMRAM through an SMI. Dell identifies the fault as insufficient validation of SMI-supplied data, but does not disclose the affected SMI handler, input field, or rejected boundary condition. Reaching the flaw requires local authenticated access with high privileges; successful exploitation crosses into System Management Mode and gains control of SMRAM-resident code and data.
Summary
What happened
Improper input validation in Dell Client Platform BIOS before 1.2.15 allows local users to execute arbitrary code in SMRAM through an SMI. Dell identifies the fault as insufficient validation of SMI-supplied data, but does not disclose the affected SMI handler, input field, or rejected boundary condition. Reaching the flaw requires local authenticated access with high privileges; successful exploitation crosses into System Management Mode and gains control of SMRAM-resident code and data.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-34391
- Published
- Oct 12, 2022
- Updated
- May 16, 2025
- Vendor
- Dell
- Product
- Dell Client Platform BIOS
- Classifications
- CWE-119, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 12, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 16, 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 <1.2.15
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
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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