How severe is CVE-2022-4020?

CVE-2022-4020 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2022-4020 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (15th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2022-4020?

CVE-2022-4020 primarily affects Acer Aspire A315-22g Firmware. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2022-4020?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2022-4020 published?

CVE-2022-4020 was published on 2022-11-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2022-4020

CVE-2022-4020 is a high-severity vulnerability in Acer Aspire A315-22g Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-276.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (15th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-276
Affected product: Acer Aspire A315-22g Firmware
Published: 2022-11-28
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Vulnerability in the HQSwSmiDxe DXE driver on some consumer Acer Notebook devices may allow an attacker with elevated privileges to modify UEFI Secure Boot settings by modifying an NVRAM variable.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-4020?: Vulnerability in the HQSwSmiDxe DXE driver on some consumer Acer Notebook devices may allow an attacker with elevated privileges to modify UEFI Secure Boot settings by modifying an NVRAM variable.
How severe is CVE-2022-4020?: CVE-2022-4020 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2022-4020 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (15th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2022-4020?: CVE-2022-4020 primarily affects Acer Aspire A315-22g Firmware. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2022-4020?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2022-4020 published?: CVE-2022-4020 was published on 2022-11-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://community.acer.com/en/kb/articles/15520-security-vulnerability-regarding-vulnerability-that-may-allow-changes-to-secure-boot-settings

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:o:acer:aspire_a315-22g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:acer:aspire_a115-21_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:acer:aspire_a315-22_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:acer:extensa_ex215-21_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:acer:extensa_ex215-21g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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