CVE-2010-2656 in Advanced Management Module
Summary
by MITRE
The IBM BladeCenter with Advanced Management Module (AMM) firmware build ID BPET48L, and possibly other versions before 4.7 and 5.0, stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download (1) logs or (2) core files via direct requests, as demonstrated by a request for private/sdc.tgz.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2656 affects IBM BladeCenter systems equipped with Advanced Management Module firmware versions prior to 4.7 and 5.0. This security flaw represents a critical misconfiguration in the web application layer of the management interface, where sensitive system data is improperly exposed to unauthorized users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms that fail to properly restrict access to confidential files stored within the web root directory structure. The affected systems store critical system information including logs and core files in locations that are directly accessible via HTTP requests without proper authentication or authorization checks. This misconfiguration creates a significant attack surface that allows remote threat actors to directly access sensitive system information simply by crafting appropriate HTTP requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web server configuration failing to enforce proper access controls for files stored in the web root directory. When an attacker sends a direct HTTP request for specific files such as private/sdc.tgz, the web server responds by serving the requested content without validating the requester's authorization level. This behavior directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects management modules that are designed to provide secure remote access to system administration functions, yet the implementation fails to properly secure sensitive data within the same web server context. The exposure of core files and system logs through this mechanism provides attackers with potentially valuable information for further exploitation, including system configuration details, error messages, and other sensitive operational data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to system diagnostics and operational data that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The ability to download system logs and core files enables threat actors to gather intelligence about system configuration, running processes, and potential system weaknesses. This information can be used to identify system vulnerabilities, understand system behavior, and plan subsequent attacks. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where blade center management modules are critical components of data center infrastructure, making the exposure of sensitive information potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on these systems for mission-critical operations. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit this vulnerability, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential impact.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to firmware versions 4.7 or 5.0 where the access control issues have been addressed. The remediation process should involve comprehensive review of web server configurations to ensure that sensitive files are properly protected and not exposed through the web root directory. System administrators should implement proper access control mechanisms that enforce authentication and authorization checks before serving any sensitive content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in the CWE taxonomy. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and reconnaissance activities, as it enables adversaries to gather system information that could be used for privilege escalation or further system compromise. Regular security assessments should include verification that sensitive data is not exposed through web interfaces and that proper access control mechanisms are in place to prevent unauthorized access to system diagnostic information.