CVE-2021-38576 — HIGH (7.5)

Vulnerability Description

A BIOS bug in firmware for a particular PC model leaves the Platform authorization value empty. This can be used to permanently brick the TPM in multiple ways, as well as to non-permanently DoS the system.

CVSS Score

7.5

HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector

NETWORK

Attack Complexity

LOW

Privileges Required

NONE

User Interaction

NONE

Scope

UNCHANGED

Confidentiality

NONE

Integrity

NONE

Availability

HIGH

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
Tianocore	Edk2	201808

References

https://bugzilla.tianocore.org/show_bug.cgi?id=3499Issue TrackingPermissions RequiredThird Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.tianocore.org/show_bug.cgi?id=3499Issue TrackingPermissions RequiredThird Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/06/msg00007.html

FAQ

What is CVE-2021-38576?

CVE-2021-38576 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.5 (HIGH). A BIOS bug in firmware for a particular PC model leaves the Platform authorization value empty. This can be used to permanently brick the TPM in multiple ways, as well as to non-permanently DoS the sy...

How severe is CVE-2021-38576?

CVE-2021-38576 has been rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.5/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.

Is there a patch for CVE-2021-38576?

Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Affected products include: Tianocore Edk2.