CVE-2024-36326 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) found in AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series Mobile Processors with Radeon™ Graphics. The flaw resides in the RomArmor security mechanism, which is designed to protect the system's firmware from unauthorized modifications, especially during power state transitions such as resuming from standby. Due to missing authorization checks, an attacker with low privileges and local access can bypass RomArmor protections during system resume, allowing unauthorized firmware modifications or tampering. This can lead to a loss of confidentiality and integrity of the firmware, potentially enabling persistent malware or rootkits that survive reboots and evade detection. The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges but does not require user interaction, increasing the risk in environments where local access controls are weak. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.4 reflects the high impact on confidentiality and integrity, with low attack complexity and privileges required. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant concern for endpoint security, especially in mobile computing devices using the affected AMD processors.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-36326 is the potential compromise of system firmware confidentiality and integrity on devices using AMD Ryzen 7040 Series Mobile Processors. Firmware compromise can lead to persistent, stealthy malware infections that survive OS reinstalls and evade traditional security controls. This can result in unauthorized data access, system manipulation, and long-term control by attackers. Organizations relying on affected mobile devices for sensitive operations, including enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure sectors, face increased risk of espionage, data breaches, and operational disruption. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in environments with shared or physically accessible devices. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in hardware security features, complicating incident response and recovery efforts.

Effective mitigation requires AMD to release firmware updates that implement proper authorization checks within RomArmor during system resume operations. Organizations should monitor AMD advisories and apply patches promptly once available. Until patches are released, organizations should enforce strict local access controls, including physical security measures and user privilege restrictions, to prevent unauthorized local access. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring firmware integrity and unusual system resume behaviors. Consider disabling standby or hibernation modes if feasible to reduce exposure. Additionally, implement strong device encryption and secure boot mechanisms to limit the impact of firmware tampering. Regularly audit and verify firmware integrity using trusted tools. Educate users about the risks of local privilege misuse and maintain robust asset management to quickly identify affected devices.