Firmware security company Eclypsium has stated that 200,000 Framework laptops and desktops operating Linux have been shipped with vulnerabilities described as signed backdoors. These devices contain UEFIs which permit memory read/write access that could potentially compromise Secure Boot. The situation appears to extend beyond just Framework devices.

Eclypsium notes that UEFI shells responsible for these vulnerabilities aren’t malicious backdoors but rather are legitimate diagnostic tools signed with trustworthy certificates that can unintentionally bypass established security measures. The alarming takeaway is that systems claiming to have a secure boot process effectively do not.

The issue is centered on an innocuous command within the UEFI shell, mm (memory modify), which allows direct memory manipulation. While this command is essential for legitimate diagnostics, it functions as a perfect tool for circumventing system security controls.

Context:

• UEFI Shell Command Use: This command can enable malicious operators to overwrite security verification checks, allowing unauthorized code execution.
• Eclypsium′s Stance: They have shared these findings with Framework, which is working on addressing these vulnerabilities that affect a significant number of devices.

Conclusion: This development calls for a reassessment of security protocols, especially the reliance on digital signatures, highlighting a critical need for enhanced security measures against such vulnerabilities.