SMM code execution via premature MCE enablement
Published Aug 7, 2025 · Updated Aug 7, 2025
Privilege escalation in TianoCore EDK II through edk2-stable202505 allows local users to execute arbitrary code in SMM. X64/SmiEntry.nasm enables Machine Check Exceptions before installing the SMM exception handler, so an early exception reaches an untrusted handler. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access, a susceptible X64 platform, and a machine check during the initialization window, granting firmware-level control.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in TianoCore EDK II through edk2-stable202505 allows local users to execute arbitrary code in SMM. X64/SmiEntry.nasm enables Machine Check Exceptions before installing the SMM exception handler, so an early exception reaches an untrusted handler. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access, a susceptible X64 platform, and a machine check during the initialization window, granting firmware-level control.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-3770
- Published
- Aug 7, 2025
- Updated
- Aug 7, 2025
- Vendor
- TianoCore
- Product
- EDK II
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 7, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 7, 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=0 <=edk2-stable202505
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
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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