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Dasharo Security: SMM BIOS write protection

Test cases common documentation

Test setup

  1. Proceed with the Generic test setup: firmware.
  2. Proceed with the Generic test setup: OS installer.
  3. Proceed with the Generic test setup: OS installation.
  4. Proceed with the Generic test setup: OS boot from disk.
  5. Disable Secure Boot.

SMM001.001 SMM BIOS write protection enabling (Ubuntu 22.04)

Test description

SMM BIOS write protection is the method to prevent a specific region of the firmware from being flashed - when enabled allows only SMM code (the privileged code installed by the firmware in the system memory) to write to BIOS flash. This test aims to verify that, the SMM BIOS protection option is available in the Dasharo Security Options and, if the mechanism works correctly - during the attempt of firmware flashing information about the SMM protection is returned.

Test configuration data

  1. FIRMWARE = Dasharo
  2. OPERATING_SYSTEM = Ubuntu 22.04

Test setup

  1. Proceed with the Test cases common documentation section.

Test steps

  1. Power on the DUT.
  2. While the DUT is booting, hold the BIOS_SETUP_KEY to enter the UEFI Setup Menu.
  3. Enter the Dasharo System Features menu using the arrow keys and Enter.
  4. Enter the Dasharo Security Options submenu.
  5. Verify that the Enable SMM BIOS write protection option is chosen - if not, press Space and then F10 to save the changes.
  6. If necessary - press Y to confirm saving the changes.
  7. Go back to the main menu using the ESC key.
  8. Select the Reset option to apply the settings and reboot.
  9. Boot into the system.
  10. Log into the system by using the proper login and password.

  11. Execute the following command in the terminal to check platform flashing conditions:

    flashrom -p internal

  12. Note the result.

Expected result

The output of the flashing command should contain the information, that the BIOS region SMM protection is enabled.

Example output:

Enabling flash write... Warning: BIOS region SMM protection is enabled!

SMM002.001 SMM BIOS write protection disabling (Ubuntu 22.04)

Test description

SMM BIOS write protection is the method to prevent a specific region of the firmware from being flashed - when enabled allows only SMM code (the privileged code installed by the firmware in the system memory) to write to BIOS flash. This test aims to verify that, after disabling the mechanism, information about SMM protection is not returned any more.

Test configuration data

  1. FIRMWARE = Dasharo
  2. OPERATING_SYSTEM = Ubuntu 22.04

Test setup

  1. Proceed with the Test cases common documentation section.

Test steps

  1. Power on the DUT.
  2. While the DUT is booting, hold the BIOS_SETUP_KEY to enter the UEFI Setup Menu.
  3. Enter the Dasharo System Features menu using the arrow keys and Enter.
  4. Enter the Dasharo Security Options submenu.
  5. Verify that the Enable SMM BIOS write protection option is not chosen - if so, press Space and then F10 to save the changes.
  6. If necessary - press Y to confirm saving the changes.
  7. Go back to the main menu using the ESC key.
  8. Select the Reset option to apply the settings and reboot.
  9. Boot into the system.
  10. Log into the system by using the proper login and password.

  11. Execute the following command in the terminal to check platform flashing conditions:

    flashrom -p internal

  12. Note the result.

Expected result

The output of the flashing command should not contain the information, that the BIOS region SMM protection is enabled.

Example output with unwanted results:

Enabling flash write... Warning: BIOS region SMM protection is enabled!