CVE-2013-3608 in H8dgu-f
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface in the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) implementation on Supermicro H8DC*, H8DG*, H8SCM-F, H8SGL-F, H8SM*, X7SP*, X8DT*, X8SI*, X9DAX-*, X9DB*, X9DR*, X9QR*, X9SBAA-F, X9SC*, X9SPU-F, and X9SR* devices allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters, as demonstrated by the IP address field in config_date_time.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3608 represents a critical command injection flaw within the IPMI web interface of various Supermicro server models. This issue affects a broad range of hardware including H8DC, H8DG, H8SCM-F, H8SGL-F, H8SM, X7SP, X8DT, X8SI, X9DAX-, X9DB, X9DR, X9QR, X9SBAA-F, X9SC, X9SPU-F, and X9SR devices. The flaw exists in the configuration date and time component of the IPMI interface, specifically in the config_date_time.cgi script that handles user input for IP address configuration. This vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, making it a classic command injection vulnerability that can be exploited by remote authenticated attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of shell metacharacters within the IP address field of the web interface. When an authenticated user submits malicious input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters are not properly sanitized before being processed by the underlying shell command. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with elevated system permissions. The attack vector requires authentication to the IPMI web interface, but once authenticated, the attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the server's underlying operating system. This capability can be leveraged to establish backdoors, extract sensitive data, modify system configurations, or even deploy additional malware. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because IPMI interfaces are often exposed to untrusted networks for remote management purposes, and the fact that it affects multiple server generations means that a significant number of enterprise systems could be at risk. Organizations utilizing these Supermicro devices may face unauthorized access to critical infrastructure management functions, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or compliance violations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor-provided firmware updates, restricting network access to IPMI interfaces, and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper command construction in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. Additional defensive measures include disabling unused IPMI interfaces, implementing strong authentication controls, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments of management interfaces and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent shell injection vulnerabilities in networked applications.