Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This AMD firmware issue can let someone with physical access tamper with memory during low-level platform operation. The reported impact includes code execution and loss of system integrity, but the attack requires physical access, which limits broad internet-facing urgency.
Executive priority
Treat as a firmware exposure requiring planned remediation, not an emergency internet-facing incident. Prioritize high-value or less physically controlled EPYC servers first.
Technical view
CVE-2021-46775 is improper input validation in AMD ABL within AGESA for various 2nd and 3rd Gen AMD EPYC platforms. The CVSS 3.1 vector is AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating physical attack path with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Likely exposure is bare-metal infrastructure using affected AMD EPYC platform firmware. The provided affected-version data is broad, listing various 2nd and 3rd Gen EPYC systems, so asset owners need vendor or OEM firmware mapping.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. Exploitation requires physical access, so risk is highest where unauthorized hands-on access, servicing, shipping, or shared facility exposure is realistic.
Researcher notes
The bundle identifies the vulnerable condition and impact but does not provide granular affected firmware versions, exploit details, or a named fixed release. Use AMD-SB-3001 and OEM advisories for exact platform mapping.
Mitigation direction
- Review AMD-SB-3001 and relevant OEM firmware guidance.
- Map EPYC server models to installed AGESA or BIOS firmware versions.
- Apply vendor-supported BIOS or firmware updates when available.
- Restrict physical access to servers, spares, and maintenance workflows.
- Track remediation through normal firmware lifecycle management.
Validation and detection
- Inventory 2nd and 3rd Gen AMD EPYC systems.
- Record current BIOS, BMC, and AGESA-related firmware versions.
- Compare versions against AMD and OEM advisories.
- Confirm physical access controls for affected hardware locations.
- Document patch status and exceptions for vulnerability management.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-46775 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H0.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.8MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/product-security/bulletin/AMD-SB-3001CVE reference · vendor-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.