CVE-2022-48189

Local code execution via unvalidated SMM driver input

Published Oct 30, 2023 · Updated Sep 9, 2024

Improper input validation in Lenovo ThinkPad BIOS allows local users with elevated privileges to execute arbitrary code through an SMM driver. The affected SMM driver fails to validate attacker-controlled input, but Lenovo has not identified the handler, input fields, or resulting unsafe operation. Elevated local privileges are required; successful exploitation runs attacker-chosen code in the firmware execution context.

CVSS severity6.7
Medium
EPSS probability0.19%
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 Lenovo ThinkPad BIOS allows local users with elevated privileges to execute arbitrary code through an SMM driver. The affected SMM driver fails to validate attacker-controlled input, but Lenovo has not identified the handler, input fields, or resulting unsafe operation. Elevated local privileges are required; successful exploitation runs attacker-chosen code in the firmware execution context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-48189
Published
Oct 30, 2023
Updated
Sep 9, 2024
Vendor
Lenovo
Product
ThinkPad BIOS
Classifications
CWE-20
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 30, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 9, 2024Record 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=various

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Lenovo · ThinkPad BIOSversion=various
Lenovo · ThinkPadversion=various

Published CVSS scores

6.7Lenovo Group Ltd.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/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.

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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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation

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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