CVE-2024-12533 is a vulnerability identified in Phoenix SecureCore Technology 4, a widely used firmware platform that provides BIOS and UEFI firmware solutions for various computing devices. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-754, which refers to improper checks for unusual or exceptional conditions. Specifically, this flaw allows for input data manipulation due to insufficient validation or handling of exceptional input conditions within the SecureCore Technology 4 firmware versions ranging from 4.0.1.0 up to, but not including, various patched versions (e.g., before 4.0.1.1018, 4.1.0.573, 4.2.0.338, etc.). The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity directly but impacts availability, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L). This means that an attacker with local access and low privileges can exploit this issue without user interaction to cause a denial of service or system instability by manipulating input data that the firmware fails to properly check. The vulnerability is considered low severity with a CVSS score of 3.3. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigation links were provided in the source information. Given the nature of firmware vulnerabilities, exploitation could lead to system reboots, firmware crashes, or other availability disruptions, potentially affecting system reliability and uptime. The improper handling of exceptional conditions in firmware can also complicate system recovery and diagnostics, especially in enterprise environments relying on SecureCore Technology 4 for boot and hardware initialization.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability primarily concerns system availability and operational continuity. Organizations using devices with Phoenix SecureCore Technology 4 firmware could experience unexpected system crashes or reboots if this vulnerability is exploited, leading to potential downtime. This is particularly critical for sectors relying on high availability systems such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure. Although the vulnerability does not allow for data theft or unauthorized code execution, the disruption caused by availability issues can result in operational delays, loss of productivity, and increased support costs. Additionally, firmware-level issues are often harder to detect and remediate, potentially prolonging exposure. European organizations with strict uptime requirements and regulatory compliance obligations (e.g., GDPR mandates on service availability) may face indirect compliance risks if service interruptions occur. The requirement for local access and low privileges limits remote exploitation risks but does not eliminate insider threats or attacks leveraging physical access or compromised user accounts within the network.

1. Firmware Update: Organizations should prioritize updating Phoenix SecureCore Technology 4 firmware to the latest patched versions as soon as they become available from the vendor. Regular firmware audits and inventory management are essential to identify affected devices. 2. Access Controls: Restrict local access to systems running vulnerable firmware to trusted personnel only. Implement strict physical security controls and endpoint access policies to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 3. Monitoring and Logging: Enhance monitoring of system stability and firmware-related logs to detect unusual reboots or crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Incident Response Preparedness: Develop and test incident response plans that include firmware-level issues to ensure rapid recovery from availability disruptions. 5. Vendor Coordination: Engage with Phoenix and hardware vendors for timely security advisories and patches. 6. Network Segmentation: Limit the exposure of critical systems with vulnerable firmware by segmenting networks and applying least privilege principles to reduce the attack surface. 7. User Training: Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local exploitation and the importance of reporting abnormal system behavior promptly.