CVE-2021-3453

What it is

Some Lenovo Notebook, ThinkPad, and Lenovo Desktop systems have BIOS modules unprotected by Intel Boot Guard that could allow an attacker with physical access the ability to write to the SPI flash storage.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited with physical access without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2021-07-16 21:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 04:05 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.8 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2021-07-16 21:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 04:05 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-693

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Lenovo Thinkpad Helix Firmware n17etb4w
• Lenovo Thinkpad t550 Firmware n11et53w
• Lenovo Thinkpad w550s Firmware n11et53w
• Lenovo Thinkpad x1 Carbon 3rd Gen Firmware n14et55w
• Lenovo Thinkpad x250 Firmware n10et62w
• Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 15 Firmware n19et65w
• Lenovo 730s-13iml Firmware
• Lenovo Ideapad 1-11igl05 Firmware

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.8

Attack vector

Physical

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2021-3453.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2021-3453. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

Copy as ticket · More options · Status badge