CVE-2022-43778

SMM code execution via DMA timing race

Published Jun 12, 2023 · Updated Jan 6, 2025

TOCTOU flaws in HP PC BIOS allow local users to execute code in System Management Mode through vulnerable SMI handlers. A DMA timing race lets untrusted memory change after an SMI handler validates it but before use, bypassing SMRAM checks. Local access and precise race timing are required; success can expose data, corrupt firmware execution, or permanently shut down the PC.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.20%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

TOCTOU flaws in HP PC BIOS allow local users to execute code in System Management Mode through vulnerable SMI handlers. A DMA timing race lets untrusted memory change after an SMI handler validates it but before use, bypassing SMRAM checks. Local access and precise race timing are required; success can expose data, corrupt firmware execution, or permanently shut down the PC.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-43778
Published
Jun 12, 2023
Updated
Jan 6, 2025
Vendor
Plantronics
Product
HP PC BIOS
Classifications
CWE-367, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 12, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 6, 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.

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

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

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

Published CVSS scores

7.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-367Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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