CVE-2024-33657 – This SMM (System Management Mode) vulnerability... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-33657?

CVE-2024-33657 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This SMM (System Management Mode) vulnerability allows privileged attackers to execute arbitrary code, manipulate stack memory, and leak information from SMRAM to kernel space. It affects systems with vulnerable AMI BIOS/UEFI firmware modules. Attackers with local administrative access can exploit this to compromise system integrity.

📋 TL;DR

This SMM (System Management Mode) vulnerability allows privileged attackers to execute arbitrary code, manipulate stack memory, and leak information from SMRAM to kernel space. It affects systems with vulnerable AMI BIOS/UEFI firmware modules. Attackers with local administrative access can exploit this to compromise system integrity.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

AMI Aptio V UEFI firmware
Systems using AMI BIOS with vulnerable SMM modules

Versions: Specific vulnerable versions not detailed in advisory; check vendor documentation

Operating Systems: All operating systems running on affected firmware

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects systems with AMI firmware where SMM (System Management Mode) is enabled, which is typical for most systems.

📦 What is this software?

Aptio V by Ami

View all CVEs affecting Aptio V →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise with persistent firmware-level malware, data exfiltration, and denial-of-service rendering systems unusable.

🟠

Likely Case

Privileged attackers gaining kernel-level code execution, potentially installing backdoors or stealing sensitive data from protected memory regions.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if proper access controls prevent local administrative access and firmware updates are applied promptly.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local administrative access, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Malicious insiders or compromised administrative accounts can exploit this to gain persistent system control.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: HIGH

Exploitation requires deep understanding of SMM and firmware internals, plus administrative privileges. No public exploits known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Check with hardware/OEM vendor for specific BIOS/UEFI updates

Vendor Advisory: https://9443417.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9443417/Security%20Advisories/2024/AMI-SA-2024003.pdf

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Contact your hardware/OEM vendor for BIOS/UEFI firmware updates. 2. Download appropriate firmware update. 3. Apply update following vendor instructions (typically via firmware update utility). 4. Reboot system to complete installation.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict administrative access

all

Limit local administrative privileges to trusted personnel only

Enable secure boot

all

Ensure secure boot is enabled to prevent unauthorized firmware modifications

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local administrative access
Monitor systems for unusual firmware modification attempts and unauthorized administrative activity

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check BIOS/UEFI firmware version against vendor advisories. Use 'wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion' on Windows or 'dmidecode -t bios' on Linux to get current version.

Check Version:

Windows: wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion | Linux: sudo dmidecode -t bios | grep Version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version has been updated to patched version from vendor. Check that SMM protections are enabled in BIOS settings.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected firmware update attempts
Unauthorized administrative logins
System management interrupt anomalies

Network Indicators:

Unusual outbound connections from administrative systems
Firmware update traffic from unauthorized sources

SIEM Query:

EventID=6005 OR EventID=6006 (System startup/shutdown anomalies) combined with privileged user activity

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-33657

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-20

Published: August 21, 2024

Last Updated: January 12, 2026

🔗 References

https://9443417.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9443417/Security%20Advisories/2024/AMI-SA-2024003.pdf Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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