CVE-2008-4722 in Blade X6250 With Server Module Software
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Sun Integrated Lights-Out Manager (ILOM) 2.0.1.5 through 2.0.4.26 allows remote authenticated users to (1) access the service processor (SP) and cause a denial of service (shutdown or reboot), or (2) access the host operating system and have an unspecified impact, via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4722 affects Sun Integrated Lights-Out Manager version 2.0.1.5 through 2.0.4.26, representing a critical security flaw in remote system management interfaces. This issue resides within the service processor component of Sun's server infrastructure, specifically impacting the ILOM 2.0.x series that was widely deployed in enterprise data centers and high-performance computing environments. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains partially obscured, though the implications for system security and availability are severe enough to warrant immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for managing Sun server fleets.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and authentication mechanisms within the ILOM service processor interface, allowing authenticated remote attackers to exploit weaknesses in the system's privilege management. This flaw enables attackers who have already established some level of authentication to escalate their privileges or manipulate system functions beyond their intended scope. The vulnerability manifests through unknown vectors that could involve improper input validation, weak session management, or flawed authorization checks within the ILOM's communication protocols. The affected versions represent a specific release cycle where security patches were not adequately implemented, leaving systems exposed to potential exploitation by malicious actors who understand the underlying service processor architecture and its communication interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4722 extends beyond simple availability concerns to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. Remote authenticated users can leverage this vulnerability to either trigger denial of service conditions by initiating system shutdowns or reboots, effectively disrupting business operations and potentially causing financial losses through service interruptions. Additionally, the unspecified impact on host operating system access suggests that attackers may gain unauthorized access to underlying system resources, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or extract sensitive information from the managed servers. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where server management systems are accessible over networks, creating attack surfaces that could be exploited by both internal and external threat actors.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected ILOM versions to ensure proper authentication and authorization controls are enforced. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to service processor interfaces, ensuring that only authorized personnel can establish connections to these management systems. The implementation of strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication, should be enforced for all ILOM access points to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of communication with service processors, as this vulnerability may be exploited through automated scanning tools that target known vulnerable versions. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit service processor interfaces, as the vulnerability's impact on system availability makes it a prime target for both accidental and malicious disruptions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure, requiring comprehensive remediation strategies that include both immediate patch deployment and long-term architectural improvements to service processor security controls.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and management interfaces in enterprise server environments, as outdated service processors can provide attackers with persistent access points that remain undetected for extended periods. The attack surface created by such vulnerabilities in remote management systems like ILOM represents a fundamental security risk that can undermine entire enterprise security postures, particularly when these systems are not properly isolated from general network access. Organizations should establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures that specifically target service processor interfaces and management systems to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing to ensure that patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing management workflows while maintaining the security improvements necessary to protect against exploitation attempts.