Stay updated on firmware security: Explore the latest threats, updates, and protection strategies for safeguarding critical system software.
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Background for this topic.
Firmware is software stored in a device’s nonvolatile memory that initializes and controls hardware, often before an operating system or application runs. It may reside in computers, network equipment, phones, industrial controllers, storage devices, and embedded components. Firmware can be updated, so it is not necessarily permanent or read-only.
Firmware matters to security because vulnerabilities or unauthorized changes can affect a device beneath the operating system and may persist across software reinstallation. Important controls include authenticated, cryptographically signed updates; secure boot, which verifies code before execution; protection against unauthorized flashing and downgrade attacks; and a reliable recovery mechanism. Practitioners also need firmware inventories, vulnerability tracking, and a supported update process, since obscure components can remain unpatched or use insecure update mechanisms. During an investigation, verifying firmware integrity and the device’s boot chain can help distinguish an operating-system compromise from a deeper modification.
Two vulnerabilities affecting the firmware of Supermicro hardware, including Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) allow attackers to update systems with maliciously crafted images. [...]
Security vendor's no good, very bad week year SonicWall on Monday released a firmware update that the security vendor says will remove rootkit malware deployed in recent attacks targeting Secure Mobile Access (SMA) 100 appliances.…
Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed details of two security vulnerabilities impacting Supermicro Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) firmware that could potentially allow attackers to bypass crucial verification steps and update the system with a specially crafted image
SonicWall has released a firmware update that can help customers remove rootkit malware deployed in attacks targeting SMA 100 series devices. [...]