CVE-2022-30772 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the PnpSmm driver, specifically function 0x52, which is responsible for writing data into the SMBIOS table. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of the input address and size parameters passed to this function. An attacker with high privileges can manipulate the input address to cause an out-of-bounds write, potentially overwriting System Management RAM (SMRAM) or operating system kernel memory. SMRAM is a highly privileged memory region used by the System Management Mode (SMM) firmware, which operates at a higher privilege level than the OS kernel. Overwriting SMRAM or kernel memory can lead to severe consequences such as privilege escalation, arbitrary code execution at the highest privilege level, or system instability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write). It was discovered by Insyde engineering during a security review and affects multiple kernel versions, with fixes released for Kernel 5.0 through 5.5 in various patch versions. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.2, indicating a high severity, with the vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring high privileges (PR:H), no user interaction (UI:N), scope changed (S:C), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. This vulnerability is critical because it targets a low-level firmware interface that can compromise the entire system's security posture if exploited.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-30772 can be significant, especially for those relying on affected hardware platforms using Insyde firmware components or similar PnpSmm drivers. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain kernel-level or SMM-level code execution, bypassing OS security controls and potentially implanting persistent, stealthy malware. This could lead to data breaches, disruption of critical services, or espionage activities. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitive nature of their data and the criticality of their operations. The ability to overwrite SMRAM or kernel memory could also facilitate supply chain attacks or firmware-level rootkits that are difficult to detect and remediate. Given the requirement for high privileges and local access, the threat is more relevant to insider threats or attackers who have already compromised user credentials or gained local system access. However, once exploited, the scope of damage can be extensive, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems.

To mitigate CVE-2022-30772, European organizations should: 1) Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest firmware and kernel patches provided by vendors, specifically the fixed kernel versions 5.0 (05.09.41), 5.1 (05.17.43), 5.2 (05.27.30), 5.3 (05.36.30), 5.4 (05.44.30), and 5.5 (05.52.30). 2) Conduct an inventory of hardware and firmware versions to identify systems running vulnerable PnpSmm drivers or Insyde firmware components. 3) Restrict local administrative access to trusted personnel only and enforce strict access controls to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous kernel or firmware-level activity. 5) Implement system integrity verification mechanisms such as Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to detect unauthorized firmware modifications. 6) Regularly audit and monitor system logs for signs of exploitation attempts or unusual behavior related to SMBIOS or SMM memory regions. 7) Engage with hardware vendors for firmware updates and security advisories to stay informed about emerging threats and patches. 8) Consider network segmentation and least privilege principles to limit the ability of attackers to gain local access to critical systems.