Vulnerability identifier: #VU85654

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 5.3 [CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-4001

CWE-ID: CWE-254

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
grub
Universal components / Libraries / Libraries used by multiple products

Vendor: GNU

Description

The vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass GRUB password protection feature.

The vulnerability exists due to an error in GRUB due to the way that GRUB uses the UUID of a device to search for the configuration file that contains the password hash for the GRUB password protection feature. An attacker with physical access to the system can bypass the GRUB password protection feature on UEFI systems.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

grub: 2.00 - 2.06

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External links
http://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-4001
http://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2224951
http://dfir.ru/2024/01/15/cve-2023-4001-a-vulnerability-in-the-downstream-grub-boot-manager/
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/01/15/3

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. The attacker should have physical access to the system in order to successfully exploit this vulnerability.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.