CVE-2024-40885
📋 TL;DR
A use-after-free vulnerability in UEFI firmware on specific Intel server BIOS allows privileged local users to potentially escalate privileges. This affects Intel Server M20NTP systems with vulnerable BIOS versions. Attackers could gain higher system privileges by exploiting this memory corruption flaw.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Server M20NTP
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Privileged attacker gains full system control, bypasses security boundaries, and establishes persistent firmware-level access that survives OS reinstallation.
Likely Case
Privileged user escalates to higher privilege levels within the system, potentially accessing sensitive data or installing persistent malware.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls limiting local admin privileges and firmware protections, impact is limited to authorized administrative actions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local privileged access and knowledge of UEFI firmware exploitation. Memory corruption vulnerabilities in firmware are complex to exploit reliably.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: BIOS update version specified in Intel advisory
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01175.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download BIOS update from Intel support site. 2. Verify checksum. 3. Apply update using Intel's firmware update utility. 4. Reboot system. 5. Verify BIOS version in system setup.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local administrative access
allLimit number of users with local administrative privileges to reduce attack surface
Enable UEFI Secure Boot
allEnsure UEFI Secure Boot is enabled to prevent unauthorized firmware modifications
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected systems in secure network segments with strict access controls
- Implement strict principle of least privilege for all user accounts on affected systems
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check BIOS version in system setup (F2 during boot) or using 'dmidecode -t bios' on Linux or 'wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion' on WindowsCheck Version:
Linux: dmidecode -t bios | grep Version; Windows: wmic bios get smbiosbiosversionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify BIOS version matches patched version from Intel advisory after update📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected BIOS/UEFI firmware modification events
- Privilege escalation attempts from local users
- System firmware update logs
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
Event logs showing local privilege escalation or firmware modification attempts from privileged accounts