CVE-2013-3773 in SPARC Enterprise M Series Servers
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the SPARC Enterprise M Series Servers component in Oracle and Sun Systems Products Suite XCP 1114 and earlier allows remote attackers to affect availability via vectors related to XSCF Control Package (XCP).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3773 resides within the SPARC Enterprise M Series Servers component of Oracle and Sun Systems Products Suite XCP 1114 and earlier versions. This weakness falls under the broader category of unspecified vulnerabilities that can potentially compromise system availability through network-based attacks. The affected XCP 1114 component specifically relates to the XSCF Control Package which serves as a critical management interface for these enterprise servers. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the precise technical details of the flaw were not fully disclosed in the initial CVE description, though the impact scope is clearly defined as affecting system availability through remote exploitation.
The technical flaw manifests within the XSCF Control Package implementation where remote attackers can leverage specific attack vectors to disrupt system operations. This vulnerability represents a significant concern for enterprise environments that rely on SPARC Enterprise M Series servers for critical workloads, as it allows unauthorized actors to potentially cause service disruption or complete system unavailability. The XCP component operates at a low level within the server infrastructure, making the impact of this vulnerability particularly severe given its potential to affect core system functions. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates how management interfaces can become attack vectors that compromise availability, aligning with CWE-119 which addresses weaknesses in memory handling and access control mechanisms that can lead to system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire server infrastructures within enterprise environments. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to cause denial of service conditions that may require manual intervention to restore normal operations, including potential system reboots or hardware-level recovery procedures. Organizations utilizing SPARC Enterprise M Series servers in mission-critical applications face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability could be exploited to create extended downtime periods that impact business continuity and data availability. The attack surface is particularly concerning since XCP interfaces are typically designed to be accessible for administrative purposes, making them potential targets for attackers seeking to cause maximum disruption with minimal detection.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying available patches from Oracle and Sun Microsystems that address the XCP 1114 vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened around XCP management interfaces to limit exposure to unauthorized networks. Monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns or attempted access to XCP interfaces can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks, suggesting that defensive measures should include both perimeter security controls and internal network monitoring. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant systems or failover mechanisms to ensure continued availability during potential exploitation events, as the vulnerability's impact directly affects system availability through remote network-based attacks.