High severity · published Sep 20, 2022
CVE-2022-40261
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges from ring 0 to ring -2, execute arbitrary code in System Management Mode - an environment more privileged than…
8.2
CVSS
0.4%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges from ring 0 to ring -2, execute arbitrary code in System Management Mode - an environment more privileged than operating system (OS) and completely isolated from it. Running arbitrary code in SMM additionally bypasses SMM-based SPI flash protections against modifications, which can help an attacker to install a firmware backdoor/implant into BIOS. Such a malicious firmware code in BIOS could persist across operating system re-installs. Additionally, this vulnerability potentially could be used by malicious actors to bypass security mechanisms provided by UEFI firmware (for example, Secure Boot and some types of memory isolation for hypervisors). This issue affects: Module name: OverClockSmiHandler SHA256: a204699576e1a48ce915d9d9423380c8e4c197003baf9d17e6504f0265f3039c Module GUID: 4698C2BD-A903-410E-AD1F-5EEF3A1AE422
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Local
Complexity
Low
Privileges
High
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.4% · higher than 29% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
AV
Aptio V · Ami
5.0 · source: NVD
NM
Nuc M15 Laptop Kit Lapbc510 Firmware · Intel
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
NM
Nuc M15 Laptop Kit Lapbc710 Firmware · Intel
All versions, or not specified · source: NVD
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-40261
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2022-40261
Vendor Advisory
https://www.ami.com/security-center/
Exploit
https://www.binarly.io/advisories/BRLY-2022-003
More from Aptio V
8.8
CVE-2025-58770
APTIOV contains a vulnerability in BIOS where a user may cause “Improper Handling of Insufficient Permissions or Privileges” by local access
8.8
CVE-2024-33659
AMI APTIOV contains a vulnerability in BIOS where an attacker may cause an Improper Input Validation by a local attacker
8.8
CVE-2024-42442
APTIOV contains a vulnerability in the BIOS where a user or attacker may cause an improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer over the network
8.8
CVE-2022-40250
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges from ring 0 to ring -2, execute arbitrary code in System Management Mode - an environment more privileged than…
8.2
CVE-2022-40262
A potential attacker can execute an arbitrary code at the time of the PEI phase and influence the subsequent boot stages