CVE-2024-52541

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-52541?

CVE-2024-52541 has a CVSS score of 8.2 (HIGH). Dell Client Platform BIOS contains a weak authentication vulnerability that allows high-privileged attackers with local access to elevate their privileges. This affects Dell client systems with vulnerable BIOS versions, requiring physical or administrative access to exploit.

8.2 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

Dell Client Platform BIOS contains a weak authentication vulnerability that allows high-privileged attackers with local access to elevate their privileges. This affects Dell client systems with vulnerable BIOS versions, requiring physical or administrative access to exploit.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Dell Client Platform BIOS

Versions: Specific versions not listed in advisory - check Dell Security Advisory DSA-2025-021

Operating Systems: All operating systems running on affected Dell hardware

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects Dell client systems with vulnerable BIOS versions. Requires high-privileged local access.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise with attacker gaining BIOS-level control, allowing persistence, firmware manipulation, and bypassing of OS-level security controls.

🟠

Likely Case

Privileged attacker gains unauthorized BIOS access to modify settings, disable security features, or install persistent malware.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper physical security controls and BIOS password protection in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to the physical system.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Malicious insiders or compromised admin accounts with physical access can exploit this vulnerability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires high-privileged local access and knowledge of BIOS exploitation techniques.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: BIOS updates specified in Dell Security Advisory DSA-2025-021

Vendor Advisory: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000258429/dsa-2025-021

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Identify your Dell system model. 2. Visit Dell Support website. 3. Download latest BIOS update for your model. 4. Run BIOS update utility. 5. Restart system to complete installation.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Enable BIOS Password

all

Set strong BIOS administrator and system passwords to add authentication layer

Physical Security Controls

all

Restrict physical access to systems through locked cabinets, secure facilities, and access controls

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict physical security controls and access monitoring
Enable BIOS passwords and secure boot features

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check BIOS version in system settings (F2 during boot) and compare with Dell Security Advisory DSA-2025-021

Check Version:

wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion (Windows) or dmidecode -s bios-version (Linux)

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify BIOS version after update matches patched version in Dell advisory

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

BIOS configuration changes in system logs
Unauthorized physical access events

Network Indicators:

None - local exploitation only

SIEM Query:

Search for BIOS update events or configuration changes outside maintenance windows

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-52541

CVSS v3 Score: 8.2 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-1390

EPSS Score: 0.03% exploit probability (9.4th percentile)

Published: February 19, 2025

Last Updated: December 1, 2025

🔗 References

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000258429/dsa-2025-021 Vendor Advisory

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

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