CVE-2013-6718 in Advanced Management Module
Summary
by MITRE
The Advanced Management Module (AMM) with firmware 3.64B, 3.64C, and 3.64G for IBM BladeCenter systems allows remote attackers to discover account names and passwords via use of an unspecified interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6718 affects the Advanced Management Module (AMM) firmware versions 3.64B, 3.64C, and 3.64G in IBM BladeCenter systems, representing a critical security flaw that exposes authentication credentials to remote attackers. This issue stems from improper handling of authentication information within an unspecified interface component of the management module, which is designed to provide out-of-band management capabilities for blade server environments. The AMM serves as a crucial component for system monitoring, configuration, and remote administration, making its security implications particularly severe for enterprise environments that rely on blade server infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests through an unspecified interface that fails to properly secure authentication data during transmission or storage processes, allowing remote attackers to extract account names and passwords without requiring legitimate credentials or authentication. This vulnerability falls under the category of credential exposure, specifically categorized as CWE-256 which addresses insecure credential storage and transmission. The weakness enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that could lead to further exploitation, as the exposed credentials could potentially provide access to additional system components or services that share the same authentication mechanisms. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over remote network connections, eliminating the need for physical access or insider knowledge of the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it creates a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical management functions within IBM BladeCenter environments. Organizations utilizing affected firmware versions face significant risks including unauthorized system modifications, data breaches, and potential complete compromise of the managed blade server infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the management plane, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate system configurations, install malicious software, or conduct surveillance activities on the network. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and undermines the security posture of enterprise data centers that depend on blade server technologies for their computing infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-6718 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from IBM to address the identified vulnerability, as the manufacturer would have released patches specifically targeting the flawed interface implementation. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict access to the AMM interface to authorized personnel only, utilizing firewall rules and VPN connections to limit exposure. Regular security assessments and monitoring of management interfaces should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts, while credential rotation procedures should be established to minimize the impact of any compromised accounts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication for management access and establishing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual traffic patterns associated with credential harvesting activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both network-level protections and authentication security controls.