With reference to the CVE-2026-97631 vulnerability, consider the following statements: 1. The flaw is a memory-corruption vulnerability in the TianoCore EDK II codebase. 2. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute code after Secure Boot and TPM defenses are active. 3. Vendors such as AMI, Insyde, and Phoenix utilize the affected codebase. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

9.5 severity memory-corruption flaw allows attackers to execute code before Secure Boot loads

GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· IT, AI, semiconductors & computing· Prelims· 29 October 2026

Firmware security and supply chain vulnerabilities: a key GS3 Science & Technology topic.

Why in news

Researchers from Anthropic and Google discovered CVE-2026-97631, a critical memory-corruption flaw in the TianoCore EDK II codebase that allows code execution before Secure Boot loads.

Background

The flaw is a 16-year-old buffer overflow in the TianoCore EDK II codebase. It allows attackers to execute malicious code during PXE boot before Secure Boot or TPM defenses are active.

Facts for Prelims

S&TCVE-2026-97631: A 9.5 severity memory-corruption flaw in the TianoCore EDK II codebase.
FactVendors including AMI, Insyde, and Phoenix utilize the affected TianoCore EDK II code.

Prelims practice question

With reference to the CVE-2026-97631 vulnerability, consider the following statements:

The flaw is a memory-corruption vulnerability in the TianoCore EDK II codebase.
The vulnerability allows attackers to execute code after Secure Boot and TPM defenses are active.
Vendors such as AMI, Insyde, and Phoenix utilize the affected codebase.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)2 only
(b)3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)2 and 3 only

Show answer

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only — Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: It allows code execution before Secure Boot or TPM defenses are active.

For Mains

Q. Discuss the security implications of firmware-level vulnerabilities in the global supply chain and suggest measures to ensure hardware-level integrity.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

Supply chain risk: Vulnerabilities in shared open-source firmware components affecting multiple hardware vendors
Boot-time integrity: Exploitation of the pre-boot environment bypassing Secure Boot and TPM protections

Keywords: Firmware security · Supply chain vulnerability · Memory corruption · Hardware integrity · Cybersecurity

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