Asus Released BIOS Update for Security Vulnerability
The update addresses a high-severity flaw in motherboards supporting 8th and 9th Gen Intel processors.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Asus has issued a critical BIOS update for its motherboard lines to patch a vulnerability designated CVE-2026-93495. The flaw carries a severity score of 7.0 and could allow unauthorized memory access.
Why it matters
The vulnerability poses a security risk because it allows a physically proximate user to read or write arbitrary system memory. Exploiting the flaw requires physical access to a machine, making prompt firmware updates essential for protecting hardware integrity.
The vulnerability affects Asus motherboards supporting 8th and 9th Gen Intel CPUs, specifically within the ROG Strix and ROG Maximus product lines. It stems from improper initialization within the firmware, necessitating a BIOS update to secure the system memory.
The players
Asus
Asus is a multinational computer hardware and electronics company known for its motherboard, laptop, and gaming peripheral production.
Intel
Intel is a major semiconductor manufacturer that develops the core processing units for the affected motherboard generations.
The details
The flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-93495, requires a bad actor to insert a specially crafted device into an affected PC to execute the exploit. By bypassing standard security controls, a user with physical access can read or write arbitrary memory, potentially compromising sensitive data on the device.
Timeline
August 2026: A separate high-severity security vulnerability was discovered in Asus software.
October 1, 2026: Asus issued a security bulletin announcing the new BIOS update.
The Tech Race
As hardware manufacturers increasingly face sophisticated threats targeting the lowest levels of system operation, this update reflects the ongoing battle to secure boot processes against physical exploitation. This shift marks a departure from purely software-based security toward more rigorous hardware-level protections.
Users of ROG Strix and ROG Maximus motherboards should immediately visit the manufacturer website to download and install the latest BIOS version. Failure to update leaves systems potentially exposed to anyone with physical access to the machine who uses a malicious device.
The takeaway
Maintaining system security requires keeping firmware as updated as software, especially given the persistence of hardware-based vulnerabilities. Users should prioritize applying manufacturer patches as soon as they are made available to protect against potential physical unauthorized access.
Further reading
Find more information on the latest hardware security developments in the Semiconductors section.
More information
For instructions on how to patch your specific hardware, visit the Asus support site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pcgamer.
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