Vulnerable Secure Boot in Signed UEFI Components Shipped on 200,000 Linux Systems from Framework
Framework Laptop Security Alert: Urgent BIOS Update Fixes Critical Secure Boot Flaw
A significant security vulnerability has been identified affecting potentially hundreds of thousands of Framework Laptops pre-installed with Linux, leaving them susceptible to sophisticated malware that can bypass a critical security defense. The flaw resides in the UEFI Secure Boot process, allowing an attacker with local access to install persistent, hard-to-detect malware like a rootkit.
If you own a Framework Laptop that came with Ubuntu or Fedora, it is crucial to update your system’s firmware immediately to protect against this threat.
What is Secure Boot and Why Does This Vulnerability Matter?
Think of Secure Boot as a digital gatekeeper for your computer’s startup sequence. This UEFI security standard is designed to ensure that your device boots using only software that is trusted by the manufacturer. It works by verifying the cryptographic signature of each piece of boot software—from the firmware to the operating system kernel.
The primary purpose of Secure Boot is to prevent malicious software, such as bootkits or rootkits, from loading before your operating system even starts. Because these threats activate at such a low level, they can gain complete control over a system and become nearly invisible to traditional antivirus software.
A flaw that bypasses Secure Boot effectively leaves the front door unlocked, allowing unauthorized and malicious code to take control from the moment you press the power button.
The Vulnerability Explained: A Breakdown of the Flaw
The vulnerability stems from an insecurely signed boot component known as the shim. In a typical Linux Secure Boot setup, the shim is the first piece of software loaded by the firmware. Its job is to verify and then load the next component, usually the GRUB2 bootloader, which in turn loads the Linux kernel.
In affected Framework Laptops, the shim was signed with a weak key. This oversight allows an attacker with administrator privileges or physical access to replace the legitimate GRUB2 bootloader (grubx64.efi) with a malicious version. Because the compromised shim will still trust and execute this malicious file, the entire Secure Boot chain of trust is broken.
This bypass enables the installation of persistent malware that survives reboots and can evade detection by operating system-level security tools, posing a serious risk to system integrity and data security.
Is Your System at Risk?
This vulnerability specifically impacts Framework Laptops that were shipped from the factory with a Linux-based operating system pre-installed. You should take immediate action if you own one of the following models:
- Framework Laptop 13 (11th, 12th, or 13th Gen Intel Core) pre-installed with Ubuntu or Fedora.
- Framework Laptop 16 (AMD Ryzen 7040 Series) pre-installed with Ubuntu or Fedora.
Users who installed Linux themselves on a DIY Edition or Windows laptop are likely not affected by this specific issue, but keeping firmware updated is always a best practice.
How to Protect Your System: Update Your Firmware Now
Fortunately, a fix is available in the form of a BIOS/firmware update. The update enrolls a new, secure signing key and revokes the vulnerable one, restoring the integrity of the Secure Boot process.
The recommended method for updating is through the Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS), which simplifies the process significantly.
Step-by-Step Update Instructions:
- Open a terminal on your affected laptop.
- Refresh your firmware sources to ensure you are getting the latest updates. Run the following command:
bash
sudo fwupdmgr refresh --force
- Check for available updates. The new BIOS version should appear.
bash
sudo fwupdmgr get-updates
- Install the update. This command will download and stage the firmware update.
bash
sudo fwupdmgr update
- Reboot your system. You will be prompted to reboot to complete the installation process. The system will apply the firmware update before booting into the operating system.
If for any reason you cannot use LVFS, you can also perform the update manually using a bootable USB drive by downloading the necessary files directly from the Framework support website.
Do not delay this update. Protecting the boot process is fundamental to overall system security. Taking a few minutes to apply this patch will close a dangerous security hole and ensure your system remains secure against low-level threats.
Source: https://securityaffairs.com/183426/hacking/200000-linux-systems-from-framework-are-shipped-with-signed-uefi-components-vulnerable-to-secure-boot-bypass.html
