CVE-2009-0344 in Fire X2200 M2
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Embedded Lights Out Manager (ELOM) on the Sun Fire X2100 M2 and X2200 M2 x86 platforms before SP/BMC firmware 3.20 allows remote attackers to obtain privileged ELOM login access or execute arbitrary Service Processor (SP) commands via unknown vectors, aka Bug ID 6633175, a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-5717.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0344 represents a critical security flaw within the Embedded Lights Out Manager (ELOM) component of Sun Fire X2100 M2 and X2200 M2 x86 server platforms. This issue affects the Service Processor (SP) firmware version 3.20 and earlier, creating a significant attack surface that enables remote exploitation by malicious actors. The ELOM system serves as a remote management interface that provides out-of-band access to server hardware, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though the implications suggest a fundamental flaw in the authentication or command execution processes within the SP firmware.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to ELOM administrative functions, effectively bypassing normal authentication mechanisms. This capability enables attackers to execute arbitrary Service Processor commands, which could include system configuration changes, firmware updates, or complete system control. The vulnerability's relationship to Bug ID 6633175 suggests it operates through distinct attack vectors compared to the previously documented CVE-2007-5717, indicating a separate code path or implementation flaw within the ELOM firmware architecture. The attack surface extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include full system compromise through manipulation of the underlying service processor that manages hardware-level operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise environments as it allows attackers to gain administrative control over critical server infrastructure without requiring physical access or legitimate credentials. The implications extend beyond individual server compromise to potentially enable lateral movement within networks where multiple servers share similar management interfaces. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, making traditional network perimeter defenses ineffective against this specific threat. Organizations running affected Sun Fire platforms face significant risk of unauthorized system manipulation, data exfiltration, or complete system takeover through this vulnerability.
Security mitigations for CVE-2009-0344 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation strategies. Organizations should immediately implement firmware version 3.20 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the vulnerability. Network segmentation approaches including firewall rules and VLAN isolation can help limit the exposure of ELOM interfaces to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation and remote service access, while CWE classification would likely fall under CWE-284 for improper privilege management or CWE-264 for permissions, privileges, and access control. Additionally, implementing network monitoring for unusual ELOM traffic patterns and conducting regular security assessments of management interfaces will help detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain overall system security posture.