SMM code execution via untrusted-memory callout
Published May 15, 2026 · Updated May 15, 2026
Arbitrary code execution in affected AMD processors allows highly privileged, physically proximate attackers to execute code in SMM. The SMM handler calls code located outside SMM in untrusted memory instead of constraining execution to protected SMM memory. Exploitation requires physical access, high privileges, active user interaction, high complexity, and present platform preconditions; successful execution compromises processor-level confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Summary
What happened
Arbitrary code execution in affected AMD processors allows highly privileged, physically proximate attackers to execute code in SMM. The SMM handler calls code located outside SMM in untrusted memory instead of constraining execution to protected SMM memory. Exploitation requires physical access, high privileges, active user interaction, high complexity, and present platform preconditions; successful execution compromises processor-level confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-0438
- Published
- May 15, 2026
- Updated
- May 15, 2026
- Vendor
- Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
- Product
- AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Desktop Processors
- Classifications
- CWE-1072
- Attack vector
- physical
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 15, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
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
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
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo