CVE-2024-33659
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in AMI APTIOV BIOS allows a local attacker to exploit improper input validation, potentially leading to arbitrary memory overwrites and code execution at System Management Mode (SMM) level. This impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. Organizations using AMI-based BIOS firmware on their systems are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- AMI APTIOV BIOS
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with SMM-level code execution, allowing attackers to bypass all security controls, install persistent firmware malware, and access all system memory and resources.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation to SMM level, enabling attackers to bypass operating system security controls and potentially install persistent backdoors in firmware.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper BIOS write protection and secure boot are enabled, though SMM-level access remains a significant concern.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and knowledge of BIOS internals. SMM exploitation typically requires specialized knowledge of firmware internals.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: BIOS updates from system manufacturers implementing AMI's security fixes
Vendor Advisory: https://9443417.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9443417/Security%20Advisories/2025/AMI-SA-2025002.pdf
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Contact your system manufacturer for BIOS updates addressing CVE-2024-33659. 2. Download the updated BIOS firmware from manufacturer's support site. 3. Follow manufacturer's specific BIOS update procedures. 4. Verify successful update and re-enable BIOS write protection if disabled during update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Enable BIOS Write Protection
allEnable BIOS write protection features to prevent unauthorized firmware modifications
Restrict Physical and Administrative Access
allLimit physical access to systems and restrict administrative privileges to trusted personnel only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit who can physically access affected systems
- Monitor for suspicious BIOS/UEFI modification attempts and implement firmware integrity checking
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check BIOS version against manufacturer's security advisories. Use systeminfo or manufacturer-specific tools to identify BIOS version.Check Version:
wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion (Windows) or dmidecode -s bios-version (Linux)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify BIOS version has been updated to a version that addresses CVE-2024-33659 according to manufacturer documentation.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- BIOS/UEFI firmware modification events
- Unauthorized SMM access attempts
- System firmware update logs
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
EventID=12 OR EventID=13 (Windows System events for firmware changes) OR search for BIOS/UEFI modification events in system logs