CVE-2016-4379 in Integrated Lights-Out 3
Summary
by MITRE
The TLS implementation in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 3 (aka iLO3) firmware before 1.88 does not properly use a MAC protection mechanism in conjunction with CBC padding, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a padding-oracle attack, aka a Vaudenay attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4379 affects the TLS implementation within HPE Integrated Lights-Out 3 firmware versions prior to 1.88, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of encrypted communications. This issue specifically targets the cryptographic protocols used for remote management of HPE servers through the iLO3 interface, which is widely deployed in enterprise data centers and server environments where secure out-of-band management is essential for system maintenance and monitoring.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of Message Authentication Code (MAC) protection mechanisms when utilizing Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) padding within the TLS protocol stack. This weakness enables attackers to perform padding-oracle attacks, also known as Vaudenay attacks, which exploit the way the system responds to malformed padding in encrypted data. The vulnerability occurs because the system does not adequately verify the authenticity of the MAC alongside the CBC padding, creating a scenario where an attacker can systematically manipulate encrypted data and observe the system's responses to deduce sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on HPE iLO3 for server management, as it allows remote attackers to extract confidential data from encrypted communications without requiring authentication or physical access to the managed systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness to recover plaintext information from encrypted network traffic, potentially including administrative credentials, system configuration details, or other sensitive data transmitted through the iLO3 interface. This threat vector is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited over the network without requiring privileged access to the target systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic protocols, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for initial access through remote services. Organizations should immediately upgrade their HPE iLO3 firmware to version 1.88 or later to remediate this vulnerability, while also implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include disabling unnecessary remote management services, implementing strong access controls, and regularly auditing system configurations to ensure compliance with security best practices. The incident underscores the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in remote management systems where unauthorized access could provide attackers with persistent control over enterprise infrastructure.