CVE-2022-26006

Vulnerability

An improper input validation vulnerability exists in the BIOS firmware for select Intel(R) processors, as described in Intel security advisory INTEL-SA-00688 [1]. Affected products include certain Intel Core, Xeon, and other processor families. The issue resides in the BIOS code that handles input, allowing a privileged user to exploit the flaw. Specific affected versions are listed in the advisory [1].

Exploitation

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have local access to the system and possess elevated privileges (e.g., administrator or root). The attacker can then craft malicious input to the BIOS firmware, triggering the improper validation. No additional user interaction is required beyond the initial privileged access [1].

Impact

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to escalate privileges within the system, potentially gaining higher-level access or bypassing security controls. This could lead to full compromise of the affected platform, including unauthorized access to sensitive data or system functions [1].

Mitigation

Intel has released firmware updates to address this vulnerability. Affected users should update their BIOS/UEFI firmware to the latest version provided by their system manufacturer, as detailed in the advisory [1]. No workaround is available; patching is the only mitigation. Users of end-of-life (EOL) processors should consider upgrading to supported hardware [1].