Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Dell BIOS issue can let a malicious local, authenticated user execute code in System Management Mode, a highly privileged firmware context. It is not a remote internet attack, but compromise at this layer can undermine operating-system controls. The source bundle does not identify specific affected Dell models or fixed BIOS versions.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority firmware hygiene issue for Dell fleets, especially privileged workstations and shared systems. It does not indicate broad remote exploitation, but successful abuse would occur below normal operating-system defenses, making recovery and assurance harder.
Technical view
CVE-2022-26861 is an Insecure Automated Optimization flaw in Dell CPG BIOS. The reported attack path is local authenticated abuse through SMI, leading to arbitrary code execution during SMM. CVSS 3.1 is 7.9 with local access, low complexity, high privileges, changed scope, and high confidentiality and integrity impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Dell systems running affected CPG BIOS versions, but the provided sources list versions as unspecified. Organizations need an asset inventory with Dell model, service tag, and BIOS version to determine whether Dell advisory guidance applies.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or any cited active exploitation. Exploitation requires local authenticated access with high privileges, so this is most concerning after endpoint compromise or insider misuse, where firmware-level persistence or control could increase impact.
Researcher notes
Key evidence gaps are affected model coverage, fixed BIOS versions, and real-world exploitation status. Analysis should stay anchored to Dell advisory 000202194 and CVE records. Avoid assuming impact beyond Dell CPG BIOS or claiming exploitation without a cited source.
Mitigation direction
- Review Dell advisory 000202194 for affected models and fixed BIOS guidance.
- Update BIOS only through Dell-approved firmware update channels.
- Restrict local administrator access on Dell endpoints.
- Prioritize systems used by privileged users or exposed to untrusted local users.
- Monitor Dell guidance because affected versions are unspecified in the bundle.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Dell endpoints with model, service tag, and BIOS version.
- Compare collected BIOS versions against Dell advisory 000202194.
- Confirm remediated systems report the expected BIOS version after update.
- Review endpoint controls limiting local administrative access.
- Document systems where Dell guidance is inconclusive or unavailable.
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.
CWE-1038: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution 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-2022-26861 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
- High
- CVSS
- 7.9 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N
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.
SSVC decision data
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:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N1.55.8dellVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.9HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/000202194CVE reference, dell · x_refsource_MISC
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.
Insecure Automated Optimizations
Insecure Automated Optimizations represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.