CVE-2021-3519 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Discover the details of CVE-2021-3519 affecting Lenovo Desktop BIOS models. Learn about the impact, affected versions, and mitigation steps for this unauthorized access vulnerability.
A vulnerability has been reported in some Lenovo Desktop BIOS that could potentially allow unauthorized access to the boot menu under certain BIOS settings. The CVE-2021-3519 affects various versions of Lenovo Desktop BIOS. Lenovo has acknowledged Pawel Urbanek for reporting this security issue.
Understanding CVE-2021-3519
This section will provide insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2021-3519 vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-3519?
The vulnerability in Lenovo Desktop BIOS models enables unauthorized access to the boot menu when a specific BIOS setting is configured.
The Impact of CVE-2021-3519
The vulnerability poses a medium-severity risk with high confidentiality impact and low integrity impact, highlighting the risk of unauthorized system access.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-3519
In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-3519 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability resides in the handling of the BIOS Password At Boot Device List setting, potentially allowing unauthorized users to access the boot menu.
Affected Systems and Versions
Lenovo Desktop BIOS across various versions are affected by this vulnerability, making systems susceptible to unauthorized access.
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to gain access to the boot menu when the BIOS Password At Boot Device List setting is enabled.
Mitigation and Prevention
Outlined below are the steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-3519 vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update the system firmware to the recommended version or newer, as specified in the Product Impact section of LEN-67440.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement robust security practices such as regular firmware updates, strong access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized system access.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches and updates released by Lenovo to address the CVE-2021-3519 vulnerability.