CVE-2021-26382 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2021-26382 affecting AMD Ryzen™ and Athlon™ Series processors, allowing unauthorized firmware loading into the Audio Co-Processor (ACP) and posing denial of service risks.
This article provides details about CVE-2021-26382, a vulnerability affecting AMD Ryzen™ Series and Athlon™ Series processors that allows an attacker with root account privileges to load malicious firmware images into the Audio Co-Processor (ACP), potentially leading to a denial of service.
Understanding CVE-2021-26382
This section delves into what CVE-2021-26382 is and its impact on affected systems.
What is CVE-2021-26382?
CVE-2021-26382 allows an attacker with root account privileges to load legitimately signed firmware images into the ACP, potentially resulting in a denial of service.
The Impact of CVE-2021-26382
The vulnerability poses a threat as it allows unauthorized firmware loading into the ACP, compromising system integrity and potentially causing denial of service attacks.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-26382
Here, we explore the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
An attacker with root privileges can load any properly signed firmware image into the ACP, bypassing authentication rules and risking a denial of service attack.
Affected Systems and Versions
AMD Ryzen™ Series and Athlon™ Series processors are impacted across various versions by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
The attacker must have root access to load malicious firmware images into the ACP, circumventing authentication processes and initiating a denial of service.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section outlines steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-26382.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users should apply security patches provided by AMD and closely monitor for any unusual system behavior indicating a denial of service attack.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing secure firmware updates, restricting root access, and regularly monitoring firmware integrity can help mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Patching and Updates
Regularly updating firmware and applying patches released by AMD is crucial to prevent unauthorized firmware loading and mitigate the risk of denial of service attacks.