CVE-2025-29988 identifies a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the Dell Client Platform BIOS, classified under CWE-121. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of input data within the BIOS code, allowing a local attacker with high privileges to overflow a stack buffer. Exploiting this flaw could enable arbitrary code execution at the BIOS level, potentially compromising system integrity and persistence beyond the operating system. The attack vector requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), high privileges (PR:H), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is considered changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability can affect components beyond the initially vulnerable code, such as the entire system firmware. The impact metrics show low confidentiality and integrity impact but high availability impact, suggesting that exploitation could disrupt system availability or stability. No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no patches have been released, highlighting the importance of proactive monitoring. The vulnerability affects Dell Client Platform BIOS versions, though specific versions are not detailed. Given the BIOS-level nature, exploitation could allow attackers to bypass OS-level security controls, implant persistent malware, or cause system failures. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2025 and published in April 2025, indicating recent discovery.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-29988 is the potential for attackers with high local privileges to execute arbitrary code within the BIOS environment. This can lead to persistent firmware-level malware infections that survive OS reinstalls and evade traditional endpoint security solutions. System availability may be severely affected, with possible system crashes or bricking due to corrupted BIOS code. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated low but cannot be fully discounted, as BIOS compromise could facilitate further attacks on the operating system and data. Organizations relying on Dell client platforms are at risk of targeted attacks, especially in environments where local access controls are weak or insider threats exist. The lack of remote exploitability reduces the risk of widespread automated attacks but increases the threat in scenarios involving physical access or privileged insider compromise. The absence of patches means the vulnerability remains exploitable until Dell releases firmware updates. This vulnerability could be leveraged in advanced persistent threat (APT) campaigns aiming for stealthy, long-term control over endpoints.

1. Enforce strict local access controls and limit administrative privileges to trusted personnel only to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 2. Implement BIOS integrity verification tools and secure boot mechanisms to detect unauthorized firmware modifications. 3. Monitor for unusual system behavior indicative of BIOS compromise, such as unexpected reboots or firmware tampering alerts. 4. Maintain up-to-date endpoint security solutions that can detect attempts to escalate privileges or manipulate firmware interfaces. 5. Regularly check Dell's official security advisories and firmware update portals for patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 6. Employ hardware-based security features such as TPM and BIOS write protections to prevent unauthorized firmware changes. 7. Conduct security awareness training emphasizing the risks of granting local administrative access and the importance of physical security controls. 8. Consider network segmentation and endpoint isolation strategies to limit the impact of compromised devices. 9. Use vulnerability management tools to inventory affected Dell client platforms and prioritize remediation efforts. 10. Prepare incident response plans that include BIOS-level compromise scenarios to enable rapid containment and recovery.