📄 Description (English)
barebox version prior to 2026.04.0 contains multiple memory-safety vulnerabilities in the EFI PE loader in efi/loader/pe.c where integer overflow in virtual image size computation using 32-bit arithmetic on section VirtualAddress and size values allows undersized heap allocation, and PE section loading logic fails to validate that PointerToRawData plus copied size remains within the PE file buffer. An attacker can supply a malicious EFI PE binary via TFTP, USB, SD card, or network boot to trigger heap buffer overflow or out-of-bounds read from heap memory, potentially achieving code execution in bootloader context.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2026-34963 is a critical integer overflow vulnerability in barebox EFI PE loader affecting versions prior to 2026.04.0. The flaw allows attackers to supply malicious EFI PE binaries via TFTP, USB, SD card, or network boot to trigger heap buffer overflow and achieve code execution at bootloader level. With CVSS 8.4 and no patch currently available, this poses severe risk to Saudi infrastructure relying on barebox-based embedded systems and IoT devices.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 14, 2026 23:31
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability critically impacts Saudi organizations in: (1) Energy Sector (ARAMCO, SABIC) — barebox used in industrial control systems, SCADA devices, and embedded systems managing critical infrastructure; (2) Telecommunications (STC, Mobily, Zain) — affects network equipment bootloaders and edge devices; (3) Government/NCA — impacts critical infrastructure protection systems and defense-related embedded systems; (4) Healthcare — affects medical device firmware and hospital infrastructure; (5) Banking/SAMA — impacts ATM systems, payment terminals, and banking infrastructure using barebox-based embedded systems. Bootloader-level code execution allows complete system compromise, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement into critical networks.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Energy (ARAMCO, SABIC, utilities)
Telecommunications (STC, Mobily, Zain, network equipment)
Government (NCA, critical infrastructure)
Healthcare (medical devices, hospital infrastructure)
Banking (SAMA, ATMs, payment terminals)
Defense and Security
Industrial Control Systems (ICS/SCADA)
IoT and Embedded Systems
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1542.001 - Pre-OS Boot (bootloader exploitation)
T1542.005 - Firmware (EFI PE loader compromise)
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application (malicious PE binary delivery)
T1200 - Hardware Additions (USB/SD card attack vector)
T1021.004 - Remote Services (network boot exploitation)
T1059.008 - Command and Scripting Interpreter (bootloader code execution)
T1547.001 - Boot or Logon Initialization Scripts (persistence via bootloader)
T1040 - Traffic Capture (network boot interception)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.7
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Inventory all barebox-based systems across organization (embedded systems, IoT devices, network equipment, industrial controllers)
2. Disable network boot (TFTP, PXE) on all barebox systems until patch available
3. Restrict USB and SD card access to barebox devices via physical security controls
4. Implement network segmentation isolating barebox-based devices from critical systems
5. Monitor boot logs for suspicious EFI PE loading attempts
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (until patch 2026.04.0 available):
6. Implement UEFI Secure Boot with trusted key management to validate PE binaries
7. Deploy network access controls (NAC) to prevent unauthorized boot attempts
8. Use hardware security modules (HSM) for bootloader integrity verification
9. Implement IPMI/BMC access controls and disable remote boot capabilities
10. Deploy intrusion detection on boot protocols (TFTP port 69, DHCP port 67/68)
DETECTION RULES:
- Monitor for EFI PE files with VirtualAddress + VirtualSize > 0xFFFFFFFF (32-bit overflow indicators)
- Alert on PointerToRawData + SizeOfRawData exceeding PE file size
- Track failed PE section loading attempts in bootloader logs
- Monitor TFTP/USB/SD card access to barebox devices
- Detect unusual bootloader memory allocation patterns
PATCHING STRATEGY:
- Subscribe to Pengutronix barebox security advisories
- Plan immediate deployment of barebox 2026.04.0 when released
- Test patches in isolated lab environment before production deployment
- Coordinate with OEM vendors for embedded system firmware updates
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. حصر جميع الأنظمة القائمة على barebox عبر المنظمة (الأنظمة المدمجة وأجهزة IoT ومعدات الشبكة والمتحكمات الصناعية)
2. تعطيل التمهيد عبر الشبكة (TFTP و PXE) على جميع أنظمة barebox حتى توفر التصحيح
3. تقييد الوصول إلى USB وبطاقة SD لأجهزة barebox عبر ضوابط الأمان المادي
4. تنفيذ تقسيم الشبكة لعزل أجهزة barebox عن الأنظمة الحرجة
5. مراقبة سجلات الإقلاع للكشف عن محاولات تحميل EFI PE المريبة
الضوابط البديلة (حتى توفر التصحيح 2026.04.0):
6. تنفيذ UEFI Secure Boot مع إدارة المفاتيح الموثوقة للتحقق من ملفات PE
7. نشر ضوابط الوصول إلى الشبكة (NAC) لمنع محاولات التمهيد غير المصرح بها
8. استخدام وحدات الأمان الأجهزة (HSM) للتحقق من سلامة محمل الإقلاع
9. تنفيذ ضوابط الوصول إلى IPMI/BMC وتعطيل قدرات التمهيد البعيد
10. نشر كشف الاختراق على بروتوكولات التمهيد (منفذ TFTP 69 و DHCP 67/68)
قواعد الكشف:
- مراقبة ملفات EFI PE مع VirtualAddress + VirtualSize > 0xFFFFFFFF (مؤشرات فيض 32-بت)
- تنبيه عند تجاوز PointerToRawData + SizeOfRawData لحجم ملف PE
- تتبع محاولات تحميل قسم PE الفاشلة في سجلات محمل الإقلاع
- مراقبة الوصول إلى TFTP و USB وبطاقة SD لأجهزة barebox
- الكشف عن أنماط تخصيص ذاكرة محمل الإقلاع غير العادية
استراتيجية التصحيح:
- الاشتراك في تنبيهات أمان barebox من Pengutronix
- التخطيط للنشر الفوري لـ barebox 2026.04.0 عند إصداره
- اختبار التصحيحات في بيئة معملية معزولة قبل نشرها في الإنتاج
- التنسيق مع بائعي OEM لتحديثات البرامج الثابتة للأنظمة المدمجة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.8.1 - Asset Management (inventory barebox systems)
ECC 2024 A.8.2 - Configuration Management (secure boot configuration)
ECC 2024 A.12.2 - Change Management (patch deployment procedures)
ECC 2024 A.12.6 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities (CVE tracking and remediation)
ECC 2024 A.13.1 - Network Security (network segmentation, access controls)
ECC 2024 A.14.2 - System Development and Maintenance (secure firmware updates)
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.AM-1 - Asset Management (identify and catalog barebox systems)
SAMA CSF ID.RA-1 - Risk Assessment (evaluate bootloader vulnerability exposure)
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access Control (restrict boot methods and device access)
SAMA CSF PR.DS-6 - Data Security (bootloader integrity protection)
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and Analysis (monitor boot anomalies)
SAMA CSF RS.MI-1 - Response and Recovery (incident response for bootloader compromise)
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.9 - Access Control (restrict TFTP, USB, SD card access)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - Asset Management (inventory and classification)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2 - Configuration Management (secure boot settings)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3 - Removable Media Management (USB/SD card controls)
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.2 - Change Management (patch procedures)
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities (CVE remediation)
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 2.4 - Configuration Standards (secure bootloader configuration)
PCI DSS 6.2 - Security Patches (timely patching of barebox systems)
PCI DSS 11.2 - Vulnerability Scanning (identify affected systems)
PCI DSS 12.2 - Configuration Standards (change management for firmware)
🔗 References & Sources 3
🔗
https://github.com/barebox/barebox
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Product
🔗
https://github.com/barebox/barebox/releases/tag/v2026.04.0
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Release Notes
🔗
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/barebox-efi-pe-loader-memory-safety-vulnerabilities
disclosure@vulncheck.com
Third Party Advisory
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
pengutronix:barebox