Gigabyte Motherboard Firmware Flaw Exposes Users to Bootkit Attacks
▼ Summary
– Over 100 Gigabyte motherboard models have UEFI firmware vulnerabilities allowing attackers to install persistent bootkits via memory corruption.
– The vulnerabilities, found in the System Management Mode (SMM) module, enable unauthorized SMRAM writes and were publicly disclosed by CERT/CC.
– Gigabyte has patched three of the four flaws, but older unsupported platforms remain vulnerable indefinitely.
– Security mechanisms like Secure Boot and EDR solutions are ineffective against these firmware-level exploits.
– The flaws were initially fixed by AMI but resurfaced in Gigabyte’s firmware, suggesting other OEMs may also be affected.
A critical security flaw in Gigabyte motherboards could allow attackers to install stealthy bootkits, compromising systems at the firmware level before the operating system even loads. Researchers have identified multiple vulnerabilities affecting over 100 motherboard models, putting users at risk of persistent malware infections that evade traditional security measures.
The vulnerabilities stem from issues in the System Management Mode (SMM), a highly privileged component responsible for low-level system operations. According to Carnegie Mellon University’s CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC), these flaws, tracked as CVE-2025-7029, CVE-2025-7028, CVE-2025-7027, and CVE-2025-7026, allow attackers to manipulate System Management RAM (SMRAM), potentially leading to unauthorized code execution.
SMM operates in a protected memory space, accessible only through System Management Interrupt (SMI) handlers. However, improper validation of input buffers and untrusted pointers can corrupt SMRAM, enabling attackers to execute malicious code during early boot phases, sleep states, or recovery modes. What makes these flaws particularly dangerous is their ability to bypass Secure Boot, Intel BootGuard, and endpoint detection tools, leaving systems defenseless against firmware-level attacks.
Gigabyte has acknowledged the issue, confirming that three of the four vulnerabilities have been patched. However, the company noted that older Intel platforms remain at risk, with some no longer receiving firmware updates. This means affected devices could stay vulnerable indefinitely, as highlighted by Binarly CEO Alex Matrosov.
Security experts warn that firmware-level exploits represent a worst-case scenario. “These attacks operate below the OS, in a space inherently trusted by the system,” explained Gunter Ollmann, CTO at Cobalt. “They’re nearly invisible to conventional security tools, making them incredibly difficult to detect and remove.”
The vulnerabilities were originally patched by American Megatrends Incorporated (AMI), but the fixes may not have been properly implemented across all OEM firmware builds. This raises concerns that other vendors could be affected, though Gigabyte remains the primary focus of current disclosures.
For users, the best course of action is to check for firmware updates immediately. Those running older, unsupported hardware may need to consider upgrading to newer platforms to mitigate the risk. As firmware attacks become more sophisticated, organizations are urged to expand security testing to include deep-layer firmware assessments, ensuring defenses cover every possible attack surface.
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(Source: HelpNet Security)