PEI code execution via attacker-controlled NVRAM pointer
Published Sep 20, 2022 · Updated May 27, 2025
Arbitrary write in Aptio V 5.x S3Resume2Pei allows local users with high privileges to execute code during the PEI phase. S3Resume2Pei trusts the FPDT_Variable_NV NVRAM value as a pointer, then updates fields through the attacker-controlled AcpiS3PerformanceTable address. An S3 sleep-resume cycle is required; successful exploitation can cross PEI-DXE/SMM boundaries, expose VM secrets, and disable firmware security controls.
Summary
What happened
Arbitrary write in Aptio V 5.x S3Resume2Pei allows local users with high privileges to execute code during the PEI phase. S3Resume2Pei trusts the FPDT_Variable_NV NVRAM value as a pointer, then updates fields through the attacker-controlled AcpiS3PerformanceTable address. An S3 sleep-resume cycle is required; successful exploitation can cross PEI-DXE/SMM boundaries, expose VM secrets, and disable firmware security controls.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-40262
- Published
- Sep 20, 2022
- Updated
- May 27, 2025
- Vendor
- American Megatrends International
- Product
- Aptio V
- Classifications
- CWE-787, CWE-123, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 20, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 27, 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=5.x
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Binarly S3Resume2Pei reproduction procedureproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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