CVE-2014-0881 in Flex System x222
Summary
by MITRE
The TPM on Integrated Management Module II (IMM2) on IBM Flex System x222 servers with firmware 1.00 through 3.56 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive key information or cause a denial of service by leveraging an incorrect configuration. IBM X-Force ID: 91146.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0881 affects the Trusted Platform Module implementation within the Integrated Management Module II (IMM2) of IBM Flex System x222 servers. This represents a critical security weakness in the hardware-based security infrastructure that is designed to protect cryptographic keys and maintain system integrity. The vulnerability specifically manifests through improper configuration of the TPM component, which creates exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers without requiring authentication. The affected firmware versions range from 1.00 through 3.56, indicating a broad scope of impacted systems that would have been deployed across various enterprise environments. This issue directly impacts the fundamental security posture of affected servers by compromising the confidentiality and integrity of cryptographic operations that rely on the TPM for key storage and management.
The technical flaw stems from an incorrect configuration of the TPM within the IMM2 module that allows unauthorized access to sensitive key information stored within the hardware security module. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for remote attackers to extract cryptographic keys that should remain protected within the TPM's secure environment. The vulnerability enables what is known as a privilege escalation attack vector where an unauthenticated remote adversary can potentially access the underlying cryptographic materials used for system authentication and encryption. This type of flaw is categorized under CWE-255 - "Credentials Management" and specifically relates to improper handling of cryptographic keys within hardware security modules. The configuration error essentially bypasses the intended security boundaries of the TPM, allowing attackers to access sensitive data that should be protected by hardware-level security mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential system availability compromise through denial of service conditions. When attackers can access or manipulate the TPM configuration, they may be able to render the cryptographic security services ineffective, potentially causing systems to become non-operational or to fail in their security functions. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise server environments where the IMM2 module serves as a management interface and security coordinator for the system. The remote attack capability means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from outside the network perimeter, making it especially dangerous for servers that are accessible over the internet or in less secure network segments. Organizations using these systems face risks including unauthorized system access, data breaches, and potential compromise of the entire server infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0881 should focus on immediate firmware updates from IBM to address the configuration flaws in the TPM implementation. System administrators must ensure that all affected IBM Flex System x222 servers are updated to firmware versions that have resolved this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these management interfaces to trusted networks only. Monitoring for suspicious activity related to TPM access attempts and key material usage should be enabled as part of security operations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms and ensuring that the IMM2 interfaces are properly secured through network access control lists and firewall rules. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1552.001 - "Unsecured Credentials" and T1499.004 - "Endpoint Denial of Service" highlights the need for comprehensive security measures addressing both credential exposure and availability concerns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify any remaining systems that may be affected by this or similar TPM configuration issues.