CVE-2021-42060 represents a high-severity vulnerability found in Insyde InsydeH2O Kernel versions 5.0 through 05.08.41, 5.1 through 05.16.41, 5.2 before 05.23.22, and 5.3 before 05.32.22. This vulnerability allows an attacker to hijack execution flow of code running in System Management Mode (SMM) through an Int15ServiceSmm SMM callout. If exploited, it could lead to privilege escalation to SMM, significantly impacting system integrity.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.2, indicating a high severity level. Given its nature and the critical system components it affects, the risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive areas of the system, potentially leading to further exploitation.
Currently, there is no known public exploit or proof of concept for this vulnerability, which means that while it is classified as high risk, it has not been actively exploited in the wild. However, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Given the potential impact of CVE-2021-42060, organizations using affected versions of Insyde InsydeH2O Kernel should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Vulnerability Details
An issue was discovered in Insyde InsydeH2O Kernel 5.0 through 05.08.41, Kernel 5.1 through 05.16.41, Kernel 5.2 before 05.23.22, and Kernel 5.3 before 05.32.22. An Int15ServiceSmm SMM callout vulnerability allows an attacker to hijack execution flow of code running in System Management Mode. Exploiting this issue could lead to escalating privileges to SMM.
The CVSS score is 8.2, indicating a high severity level. The vulnerability has a local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and requires high privileges (PR:H) to exploit. There is no user interaction required (UI:N), and the scope of the vulnerability is changed (S:C), with high impacts on confidentiality (C:H), integrity (I:H), and availability (A:H).
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from flaws in the SMM callout handling within the InsydeH2O Kernel, which allows an attacker to manipulate the execution flow of the kernel code. The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have high privileges on the system to exploit the vulnerability. The attack complexity is low, meaning that once an attacker has the necessary privileges, they can easily exploit the vulnerability without significant effort.
No user interaction is required for the attack to succeed, which increases the risk significantly. The impact of a successful exploit would have severe consequences, including total compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability in the affected systems.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risks associated with CVE-2021-42060 are considerable due to the critical nature of the affected systems. Organizations utilizing Insyde InsydeH2O Kernel should understand that a successful exploitation of this vulnerability may lead to total control over the affected hardware, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code in SMM. This level of access can lead to extensive damage, including data breaches, system outages, and a loss of trust from customers and stakeholders.
With a CVSS score of 8.2, organizations should treat this vulnerability with high urgency. Regular vulnerability assessments and prompt updates to the kernel are essential strategies to minimize the impact and likelihood of exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of Insyde InsydeH2O Kernel include:
Kernel 5.0 through 05.08.41, Kernel 5.1 through 05.16.41, Kernel 5.2 before 05.23.22, and Kernel 5.3 before 05.32.22. Organizations should ensure they are running the patched versions to mitigate the vulnerabilities.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching InsydeH2O Kernel to the latest version to remediate CVE-2021-42060. If a patch is unavailable, temporary workarounds may include implementing stricter access controls to limit the ability of unauthorized users to gain high privileges on the system.
For further guidance, organizations can refer to the penetration testing services to evaluate their security posture.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for any unusual activity related to SMM calls and check for any unauthorized attempts to escalate privileges. Behavioral anomalies in system performance may also indicate exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-42060 exemplifies the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and kernel versions. The risks associated with local privilege escalations highlight the necessity for organizations to conduct regular security assessments and implement proactive security measures.
Security teams should take this opportunity to review their vulnerability management practices and consider integrating continuous security testing into their processes. Insights from vulnerability assessments can inform better security strategies and help in identifying potential issues before they can be exploited.
Organizations are encouraged to engage with external security partners for comprehensive security evaluations, such as red teaming services to challenge their security measures effectively.
Finally, organizations should consider establishing a robust incident response plan to address any potential incidents that may arise from vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-42060, ensuring they are prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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