LogoFAIL Firmware Attack Roundup

UEFI Failing: What to Know About LogoFAIL Attacks

upstart writes:

UEFI Failing: What to Know About LogoFAIL Attacks:

• Multiple UEFI vulnerabilities can lead to Linux, Windows, and Mac exploits
• LogoFAIL persists across operating system reinstallations
• It also extends the supply chain risks to the hardware itself

Security researchers, known for their inquisitive and unconventional methods, have recently scrutinized UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), revealing significant vulnerabilities called LogoFAIL vulnerabilities. These experts, who investigate systems to uncover unusual ways to exploit them, discovered that UEFI, the modern replacement for traditional BIOS, is susceptible to certain failures - which have wide-ranging impacts.

Specifically, researchers found that the libraries used by various system integrators and vendors in their motherboards' UEFI are vulnerable. These libraries can be manipulated to perform unforeseen operations through specially crafted images displayed during system boot-up, such as logos and banners. This manipulation effectively circumvents security features like Secure Boot, misleading the subsequent operating system.

[...] UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, an advanced version of the old BIOS. It is essentially a compact operating system that manages hardware initialization and preliminary system security before transitioning control to the main operating system. UEFI oversees numerous functions, including CPU frequency, power and thermal management, memory timings, and peripheral operations. Some UEFI systems even offer network connectivity for firmware updates without an operating system being required.

Unlike BIOS, UEFI provides a consistent visual experience by displaying an image during boot-up, which remains visible throughout the UEFI initialization and into the operating system's boot phase. This differs from BIOS, which typically involves screen resolution changes and text mode resets before operating system drivers are activated.

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