CVE-2024-56161
CVE-2024-56161 affects AMD CPUs, potentially allowing unauthorized microcode loading. This vulnerability stems from improper signature verification in the CPU ROM microcode patch loader, impacting confidentiality and integrity. An attacker with local administrator privileges could exploit this to load malicious CPU microcode, especially affecting confidential guests using AMD SEV-SNP.
The CVSS score is 7.2, but SOCRadar's SVRS of 40 suggests a lower immediate risk compared to other vulnerabilities, though it still warrants attention. The vulnerability allows a malicious local administrator to load unsigned code. This could lead to data breaches and system compromise. While the SVRS indicates lower immediate criticality, the potential impact on data security makes addressing CVE-2024-56161 an important security task.
Description
CVE-2024-56161 is a vulnerability related to improper signature verification in the AMD CPU ROM microcode patch loader. This vulnerability allows an attacker with local administrator privileges to load malicious CPU microcode. This could lead to the loss of confidentiality and integrity of confidential guest systems running under AMD SEV-SNP.
While the CVSS score is 7.2, indicating a high severity, the SOCRadar Vulnerability Risk Score (SVRS) is 48, suggesting a moderate risk level. This difference stems from the SVRS's comprehensive approach, considering various factors like threat actor activity and exploit availability.
Key Insights
- Local Privilege Required: Exploitation of this vulnerability requires local administrator privileges, making it a less immediate threat for systems with strong access control measures.
- Impact on Confidential Guests: The vulnerability primarily affects confidential guest systems running under AMD SEV-SNP. While this may not be a concern for all users, it's crucial for organizations employing these technologies to prioritize mitigation.
- Malware Loading Potential: The most critical aspect is the ability of attackers to load malicious CPU microcode, potentially leading to data breaches, system manipulation, and unauthorized access.
- "In The Wild" Status: The "In The Wild" tag indicates that this vulnerability is actively exploited by hackers, making it imperative to address the vulnerability with urgency.
Mitigation Strategies
- Patching: Prioritize installing the latest AMD microcode updates to address the signature verification flaw.
- SEV-SNP Configuration: Review and strengthen the configuration of AMD SEV-SNP environments, focusing on access control and security measures for guest systems.
- Privilege Management: Implement robust privilege management practices to restrict local administrator access, minimizing the potential impact of exploitation.
- Security Monitoring: Enhance security monitoring systems to detect suspicious activity related to CPU microcode loading and potential signs of compromise.
Additional Information:
If users have additional queries regarding this incident, they can use the 'Ask to Analyst' feature, contact SOCRadar directly, or open a support ticket for more information if necessary.
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CWE Details
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