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Dell Firmware Flaws Expose Millions of Laptops to Deep Security Risks

Cybersecurity researchers at Cisco Talos have uncovered five critical vulnerabilities in Dell’s ControlVault3 (CV3) firmware and its related Windows APIs, affecting millions of Dell laptops

August 07, 2025

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Dell Firmware Flaws Expose Millions of Laptops to Deep Security Risks

Cybersecurity researchers at Cisco Talos have uncovered five critical vulnerabilities in Dell’s ControlVault3 (CV3) firmware and its related Windows APIs, affecting millions of Dell laptops. These flaws could allow attackers to bypass Windows login protections and even install persistent firmware-level implants—especially if they gain physical access to the device.

What Is ControlVault3?

ControlVault3 and its variant, ControlVault3+, are hardware-based security subsystems designed to securely store sensitive data like passwords, biometrics, and encryption keys. They serve as a trusted environment, isolated from the main operating system, commonly used in Dell's Latitude, Precision, and Pro models.

Overview of the Vulnerabilities

The five CVEs disclosed—CVE-2025-24311, CVE-2025-25215, CVE-2025-24922, CVE-2025-25050, and CVE-2025-24919—range in impact and function:

  • CVE-2025-24311 & CVE-2025-25050: Out-of-bounds vulnerabilities that allow attackers to leak or overwrite memory using crafted API calls.

  • CVE-2025-25215: An arbitrary memory free vulnerability triggered via forged sessions.

  • CVE-2025-24922 & CVE-2025-24919: These flaws can lead to arbitrary code execution through stack buffer overflows and unsafe deserialization.

An attacker without admin rights can abuse the Windows API to interact with ControlVault, injecting malicious firmware-level code and potentially creating a stealthy implant.

Physical Access = Full Control

The risks amplify when attackers have physical access to a system. By opening the device and targeting the USH (USB Secure Hardware) board, attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities without knowing login credentials or encryption keys.

One particularly alarming scenario: if a user has fingerprint-based login enabled, a tampered CV3 firmware could be modified to accept any fingerprint—a complete bypass of biometric authentication.

Who Is at Risk?

Organizations in high-security sectors—such as government, defense, and cybersecurity—that rely on ControlVault for authentication are especially vulnerable. These sectors often require strict login standards, making them more likely to be using the affected features.

Mitigation and Recommendations

Dell issued patches for over 100 laptop models as of June 13, 2025. The advisory includes:

  • A full list of impacted models.

  • Firmware version updates.

  • Patch release timelines.

Recommendations:

  • Apply all firmware updates immediately.

  • Disable or review reliance on biometric authentication via ControlVault.

  • Increase physical security for sensitive endpoints.

Final Thoughts

This disclosure highlights a growing threat vector: firmware-level attacks that traditional antivirus tools can’t detect. As more organizations rely on hardware-based security, keeping firmware up to date and minimizing physical access risks is essential for modern endpoint protection.