CVE-2024-1298: EDK2 Division-By-Zero DoS Vulnerability

CVE-2024-1298 Overview

CVE-2024-1298 is a vulnerability in EDK2, the open-source reference implementation of the UEFI specification. The flaw occurs when S3 sleep mode is activated, allowing an attacker with local access to cause a Division-By-Zero condition through a UINT32 overflow. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability leads to a loss of availability, potentially causing system crashes or denial of service conditions in affected firmware implementations.

Critical Impact

Local attackers with high privileges can trigger a Division-By-Zero exception via UINT32 overflow during S3 sleep operations, causing system instability and denial of service.

Affected Products

• EDK2 (TianoCore UEFI firmware implementation)
• Systems utilizing EDK2-based UEFI firmware with S3 sleep functionality
• Fedora and Debian distributions packaging EDK2

Discovery Timeline

• May 30, 2024 - CVE-2024-1298 published to NVD
• November 3, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-1298

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-369 (Divide By Zero), a numeric error that occurs when the application attempts to divide a number by zero. In the context of EDK2, the issue manifests during S3 sleep state transitions where improper handling of UINT32 values leads to an overflow condition. When this overflow occurs, the resulting calculation can produce a zero divisor, triggering a Division-By-Zero exception.

The attack requires local access to the system and high privileges, limiting the scope of potential attackers. However, the vulnerability can affect systems beyond the compromised security context (changed scope), making it particularly concerning for multi-tenant environments or systems where firmware integrity is critical.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-1298 lies in inadequate bounds checking when processing UINT32 values during S3 sleep operations. When specific values are processed, integer overflow occurs, wrapping around and potentially resulting in a zero value being used as a divisor in subsequent arithmetic operations. This triggers an unhandled exception that crashes the system.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have authenticated access to the target system with elevated privileges. The attacker can manipulate inputs or system states that trigger the S3 sleep functionality with crafted values designed to cause the UINT32 overflow. When the overflow occurs and the resulting zero value is used in a division operation, the system experiences a fatal exception.

The vulnerability can be exploited through manipulation of firmware-level operations during the S3 suspend/resume cycle. An attacker with administrative access could craft specific conditions that cause the overflow during S3 sleep state transitions, resulting in system unavailability.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-1298

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected system crashes or blue screens during S3 sleep/wake cycles
• Firmware-level exceptions logged in system event logs related to divide-by-zero errors
• Abnormal behavior during suspend/resume operations
• Repeated system instability triggered by sleep state transitions

Detection Strategies

• Monitor system logs for firmware exceptions related to arithmetic errors during S3 transitions
• Implement firmware integrity monitoring to detect unexpected modifications
• Use hardware-based security modules to monitor UEFI execution anomalies
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of monitoring pre-boot and firmware-level events

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for UEFI/BIOS events where supported
• Configure system monitoring to alert on unexpected reboots during sleep transitions
• Implement SentinelOne Singularity platform for comprehensive endpoint visibility including firmware-level threat detection
• Establish baseline behavior for S3 sleep operations to identify anomalous patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-1298

Immediate Actions Required

• Update EDK2 to the latest patched version from the TianoCore project
• Apply vendor-specific firmware updates for affected systems
• Review the GitHub Security Advisory for detailed patch information
• Restrict local administrative access to minimize attack surface

Patch Information

Security patches addressing this vulnerability have been released through multiple channels. Fedora users should apply updates announced in the Fedora Package Announcements. Debian LTS users should refer to the Debian LTS Announcement for applicable updates. NetApp customers should consult the NetApp Security Advisory for affected products and remediation guidance.

Workarounds

• Disable S3 sleep functionality where operationally feasible until patches can be applied
• Restrict physical and administrative access to affected systems
• Implement additional monitoring for systems that cannot be immediately patched
• Consider alternative power management configurations that avoid the affected S3 sleep path

Organizations should prioritize applying official patches as workarounds may impact system functionality and power management capabilities. Consult vendor documentation for system-specific mitigation options.