CVE-2018-9085: A write protection lock bit was left unset after boot on an older generation of Lenovo and IBM System x server
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Routine
MEDIUM 4.9UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE
CVE-2018-9085 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.9) affecting flex system x240 m4 firmware, flex system x440 m4 firmware, system x3750 m4 firmware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
A write protection lock bit was left unset after boot on an older generation of Lenovo and IBM System x servers, potentially allowing an attacker with administrator access to modify the subset of flash memory containing Intel Server Platform Services (SPS) and the system Flash Descriptors.
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
Published CVE record published
Updated Record last modified
lenovo flex system x240 m4 firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < a3e122b
Fixed in: a3e122b
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
lenovo flex system x440 m4 firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < cge122b
Fixed in: cge122b
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
lenovo system x3750 m4 firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < a5e124b
Fixed in: a5e124b
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
ibm bladecenter hs23 firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < tke160c
Fixed in: tke160c
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
ibm bladecenter hs23e firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < ahe160c
Fixed in: ahe160c
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
ibm flex system x220 m4 firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < kse158c
Fixed in: kse158c
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
Verify at the official sourceNVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2018-9085?
flex system x240 m4 firmware: upgrade to a3e122b; flex system x440 m4 firmware: upgrade to cge122b; system x3750 m4 firmware: upgrade to a5e124b. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2018-9085 being exploited?
CVE-2018-9085 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-2018-9085 affect?
CVE-2018-9085 affects flex system x240 m4 firmware, flex system x440 m4 firmware, system x3750 m4 firmware. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.9). A write protection lock bit was left unset after boot on an older generation of Lenovo and IBM System x servers, potentially allowing an attacker with administrator access to modify the subset of flash memory containing Intel Server Platfor
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