CVE-2024-36311 identifies a Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition vulnerability classified under CWE-367 in the System Management Mode (SMM) communications buffer of AMD Ryzen™ 7045 Series Mobile Processors with Radeon™ Graphics. The SMM is a highly privileged execution mode used for low-level system management and security functions. This vulnerability arises because the input validation performed during the check phase can be bypassed by a race condition before the use phase, allowing an attacker with privileged local access to perform out-of-bounds memory reads or writes. Such unauthorized memory access can lead to breaches in confidentiality by exposing sensitive data, compromise integrity by altering critical data structures, or affect availability by causing system instability or crashes. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates that exploitation requires local access with low complexity and no user interaction, but privileges are necessary. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches are currently linked, indicating that mitigation relies on forthcoming firmware updates from AMD. The vulnerability does not affect the system’s secure configuration or require social engineering, but the scope is limited to systems using the affected AMD Ryzen 7045 mobile processors. This class of vulnerability is particularly concerning because SMM operates at a higher privilege level than the operating system, making exploitation potentially impactful if achieved. Organizations using affected processors in mobile devices should monitor for firmware updates and restrict privileged access to mitigate risks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily in environments where AMD Ryzen 7045 Series Mobile Processors are deployed in laptops or mobile workstations, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, unauthorized modification of critical system data, or denial of service through system instability. This is particularly relevant for enterprises with remote or hybrid workforces using mobile devices that may be physically accessible to attackers or exposed to insider threats. The requirement for privileged local access limits remote exploitation risk but does not eliminate insider threat or post-compromise lateral movement scenarios. The potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability could disrupt business operations, lead to data breaches, or compromise compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. Given the medium severity, the threat is significant but not urgent, allowing organizations time to plan and deploy mitigations. However, failure to address this vulnerability could increase risk exposure in high-security environments or industries with stringent cybersecurity requirements.

1. Monitor AMD’s official channels for firmware updates addressing CVE-2024-36311 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Implement strict access controls to limit privileged local access to trusted administrators only, reducing the risk of exploitation. 3. Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of attempts to exploit race conditions or memory corruption. 4. Conduct regular security audits and privilege reviews on systems using affected processors to ensure minimal privilege principles are enforced. 5. Educate IT staff about the risks associated with TOCTOU vulnerabilities and the importance of timely patching and access management. 6. For high-security environments, consider additional hardware-based protections or isolation techniques to limit SMM exposure. 7. Maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts or suspicious activity related to SMM communications. 8. Coordinate with hardware vendors and security teams to integrate vulnerability management into the broader cybersecurity strategy.