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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 =========================================================================== AUSCERT Security Bulletin ASB-2010.0048 Intel motherboards vulnerability 8 February 2010 =========================================================================== AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary --------------------------------- Product: Intel Desktop motherboards Operating System: Solaris BSD variants Linux variants Windows Platform: IA-32 Impact/Access: Increased Privileges -- Remote/Unauthenticated Resolution: Patch/Upgrade Member content until: Wednesday, March 10 2010 Comment: This vulnerability has been corrected with a BIOS update. OVERVIEW A privilege escalation vulnerability has been identified in a range of Intel desktop motherboards where an attacker can modfy code that is run in System Management Mode (SMM). IMPACT The issue is described by the vendor as follows: "A new BIOS update is available for selected Intel desktop motherboards to ensure proper configuration settings. These changes would prevent a malicious user from modifying software that is run in System Management Mode (SMM). SMM is a privileged operating environment running outside of OS control. Malicious software running in this environment could therefore perform any number of operations. Administrative level privileges are required to exploit this issue." [1] MITIGATION Updates are available on the vendor's website. [1] REFERENCES [1] Intel Desktop Boards Privilege Escalation http://security-center.intel.com/advisory.aspx?intelid=INTEL-SA-00022&languageid=en-fr AusCERT has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate. However, the decision to use the information described is the responsibility of each user or organisation. The decision to follow or act on information or advice contained in this security bulletin is the responsibility of each user or organisation, and should be considered in accordance with your organisation's site policies and procedures. AusCERT takes no responsibility for consequences which may arise from following or acting on information or advice contained in this security bulletin. If you believe that your computer system has been compromised or attacked in any way, we encourage you to let us know by completing the secure National IT Incident Reporting Form at: http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=3192 =========================================================================== Australian Computer Emergency Response Team The University of Queensland Brisbane Qld 4072 Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au Facsimile: (07) 3365 7031 Telephone: (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417) AusCERT personnel answer during Queensland business hours which are GMT+10:00 (AEST). On call after hours for member emergencies only. =========================================================================== -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Comment: http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=1967 iD8DBQFLb3dT/iFOrG6YcBERAkIUAJ4wYhwMsOa7Mox9PJErD2+t0F0phACcDvo7 dlAUEe8Zajj+AmK9/DAIvTU= =0RXg -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----