CVE-2022-40261 SMM memory corruption vulnerability in OverClockSmiHandler SMM driver
Attackers can exploit memory corruption in the OverClockSmiHandler driver to execute arbitrary code in System Management Mode, bypassing security protections and installing persistent firmware backdoors.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2022-40261?
CVE-2022-40261 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in AMI Aptio, published on 20 Sep 2022. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges from ring 0 to ring -2, execute arbitrary code in System Management Mode - an environment more privileged than operating system (OS) and completely isolated from it. Running arbitrary code in SMM additionally bypasses SMM-based SPI flash protections against modifications, which can help an attacker to install a firmware backdoor/implant into BIOS. Such a malicious firmware code in BIOS could persist across operating system re-installs. Additionally, this vulnerability potentially could be used by malicious actors to bypass security mechanisms provided by UEFI firmware (for example, Secure Boot and some types of memory isolation for hypervisors). This issue affects: Module name: OverClockSmiHandler SHA256: a204699576e1a48ce915d9d9423380c8e4c197003baf9d17e6504f0265f3039c Module GUID: 4698C2BD-A903-410E-AD1F-5EEF3A1AE422
Weakness: CWE-120
Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-40261?
It affects 3 products.
Products include Ami Aptio V, Intel Nuc M15 Laptop Kit Lapbc510 Firmware, Intel Nuc M15 Laptop Kit Lapbc710 Firmware.
How do I fix CVE-2022-40261?
No fix has been published for CVE-2022-40261 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2022-40261 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2022-40261 exists.
Other vulnerabilities in AMI Aptio
- CVE-2022-40250 Stack overflow vulnerability in SMI handler on SmmSmbiosElog.
- CVE-2025-33045 Legacy Serial Redirection SMRAM Vulnerabilities
- CVE-2022-26873 Memory corruption in Aptio
- CVE-2022-40262 The arbitrary write vulnerability in S3Resume2Pei leads to arbitrary code execution during PEI phase.
- CVE-2024-33656 Memory Leak in SmmComuptrace Module
Sources
Also known as GHSA-gh9f-j6gv-mq7g.