According to Reuters, a critical security vulnerability has been discovered in tens of millions of Dell laptops, putting many users at risk without their knowledge. The issue lies deep within the hardware and is capable of allowing hackers to gain control of the device even if the operating system has been completely reinstalled.
As reported by cybersecurity experts from Cisco Talos, the vulnerability stems from the Broadcom BCM5820X chip, an integral part of Dell’s ControlVault system. This is where core security data such as passwords, biometric data (fingerprints), authentication codes, smart card drivers, and NFC communication are stored.
A critical security vulnerability has been discovered in tens of millions of Dell laptops. (Illustrative image)
The danger lies in the fact that ControlVault is considered the highest level of security in laptops, isolating critical data from the operating system. When this core is compromised, hackers can quietly “take root” in the device undetected, even if the user resets the machine, reinstalls Windows, or formats the hard drive.
The report found that over 100 models of Dell laptops using the Broadcom chip were affected by the vulnerability, including models currently in use in agencies and organizations related to cybersecurity. This raises serious concerns about the potential leak of confidential information from systems that require maximum protection.
Immediately after receiving the report from Cisco Talos, Dell confirmed the issue and released a phased patch in March, April, and May. A comprehensive security advisory was also issued by the company on June 13.
As of now, researchers have not observed any cases of hackers exploiting this vulnerability for actual attacks. However, the threat remains if users do not update their systems in a timely manner.
Nick Biasini, a specialist from Cisco Talos, warned: “The adoption of new security technologies such as biometrics and secure enclaves is increasing rapidly. However, this also means that more attack vectors are introduced, especially at the hardware level, where it is very difficult for users to detect and address in the event of an incident.”
This discovery once again raises concerns about hardware security, which was once considered the “last fortress” to protect devices but is now becoming a critical weakness.
Dell affirmed that it had “addressed the issue promptly and transparently” and urged users to check and install the latest security updates through its official support page: www.dell.com/support/home.
Meanwhile, Broadcom, the manufacturer of the faulty chip, declined to comment on the matter.
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