CVE-2015-7273 in iDRAC7
Summary
by MITRE
Dell Integrated Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) 7/8 before 2.21.21.21 has XXE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2015-7273 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw discovered in Dell Integrated Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) versions 7 and 8 prior to 2.21.21.21. This vulnerability resides within the remote management capabilities of Dell servers, specifically affecting the iDRAC7 and iDRAC8 firmware implementations that are widely deployed in enterprise data centers and server environments. The XXE vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit improper input validation in the XML processing functionality of the remote management interface, creating potential pathways for unauthorized access and system compromise. This issue is particularly concerning given the privileged nature of iDRAC interfaces, which provide administrators with out-of-band management capabilities for server hardware regardless of the operating system status.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability occurs when the iDRAC system processes XML data without proper validation of external entity references. Attackers can craft malicious XML payloads that reference external resources or internal system files, enabling them to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, internal network reconnaissance, and potentially remote code execution. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of XML input within the iDRAC's web services and API endpoints, allowing attackers to inject external entity declarations that can be resolved by the system. This flaw specifically affects the XML parser implementation within the remote management stack, where external entities can be loaded from remote servers or local system paths, creating opportunities for information disclosure and privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7273 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Dell server infrastructure. Organizations utilizing affected iDRAC versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to server management interfaces, potential privilege escalation to administrative levels, and exposure of sensitive configuration data. The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network segmentation is insufficient or where the iDRAC interfaces are accessible from untrusted networks. Additionally, the vulnerability may enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities against internal networks by leveraging the iDRAC's ability to access local system resources and network interfaces. This issue aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and represents a common pattern in web application security vulnerabilities that affect enterprise management systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7273 primarily focus on firmware updates and network security controls. Dell has released firmware updates addressing this vulnerability in iDRAC7 and iDRAC8 versions 2.21.21.21 and later, which include enhanced XML parsing validation and proper external entity restriction mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize immediate firmware upgrades across all affected systems, particularly those with internet-facing management interfaces. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict access to iDRAC interfaces, limiting exposure to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary remote management features, implementing strict firewall rules, and monitoring for suspicious XML traffic patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure input validation in remote management systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1075 (Pass the Hash) and T1566 (Phishing) when combined with other exploitation vectors, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security postures in enterprise server infrastructure.