CVE-2013-4782 in BMC
Summary
by MITRE
The Supermicro BMC implementation allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and execute arbitrary IPMI commands by using cipher suite 0 (aka cipher zero) and an arbitrary password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4782 resides within Supermicro's Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) implementation, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of server management systems. This weakness specifically affects the IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) protocol implementation within Supermicro hardware, where the BMC serves as a dedicated management processor responsible for remote monitoring and control of server hardware. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of IPMI cipher suites, particularly when cipher suite 0 is utilized, which should normally be restricted to prevent unauthorized access to management functions.
The technical flaw manifests when an attacker leverages cipher suite 0, also known as cipher zero, to establish unauthorized communication with the BMC. This cipher suite is designed to provide minimal security and should typically be disabled or restricted in production environments. However, the Supermicro implementation fails to properly validate authentication credentials when cipher suite 0 is selected, allowing attackers to bypass the standard authentication mechanism entirely. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it permits execution of arbitrary IPMI commands without proper authentication, effectively granting attackers complete administrative control over the BMC and potentially the underlying server hardware. This flaw operates at the protocol level of IPMI, which is commonly used for out-of-band server management and monitoring.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform critical administrative functions including but not limited to remote server power control, configuration changes, firmware updates, and access to system logs and monitoring data. The implications are severe because BMC systems are often deployed in environments where they serve as the primary interface for remote server administration, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to critical infrastructure. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to maintain long-term access to servers, conduct reconnaissance activities, or escalate privileges within the network. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1021.002 for remote services and T1059.001 for command and script execution, as it enables remote command execution through legitimate management interfaces.
From a compliance and security standards perspective, this vulnerability violates fundamental principles outlined in CWE-305 Authentication Bypass Using Multiple Credentials and CWE-307 Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts. The flaw demonstrates inadequate implementation of the principle of least privilege and fails to properly enforce access controls within the IPMI protocol stack. Organizations using Supermicro hardware with vulnerable BMC implementations face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations, particularly in environments governed by standards such as SOC 2, PCI DSS, and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects systems that are often considered to be in secure zones or protected by network segmentation, yet still remain vulnerable to attacks that can bypass traditional network-based security controls. Mitigation efforts should include immediate firmware updates from Supermicro, disabling cipher suite 0 on all BMC implementations, implementing network segmentation for management interfaces, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify potentially affected systems across the organization's infrastructure.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper IPMI security configuration and the need for organizations to maintain current firmware versions for all management controllers. This flaw underscores the critical nature of managing out-of-band management interfaces, which often receive less security attention than primary network services but can provide attackers with persistent access paths to critical systems. Organizations should implement monitoring for unusual BMC activity, establish secure baseline configurations for all management interfaces, and consider alternative management approaches that minimize exposure to such vulnerabilities while maintaining necessary operational capabilities.