CVE-2016-5685 in iDRAC7
Summary
by MITRE
Dell iDRAC7 and iDRAC8 devices with firmware before 2.40.40.40 allow authenticated users to gain Bash shell access through a string injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5685 affects Dell Integrated Remote Access Controller versions 7 and 8, specifically those running firmware versions prior to 2.40.40.40. This security flaw resides within the remote management capabilities of Dell servers and represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands through a carefully crafted string injection attack. The affected devices operate with web-based management interfaces that process user input without proper sanitization, creating a pathway for malicious command execution. This vulnerability directly impacts the security posture of enterprise environments where remote server management is critical for operational efficiency and system administration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the iDRAC web interface components that handle user-supplied data. When authenticated users submit specific input strings to certain management parameters, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape these inputs before processing them within shell contexts. This string injection occurs in command execution pathways where user input is concatenated with system commands without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects how the management interface processes parameters related to network configuration and system commands, allowing attackers to inject malicious shell commands that get executed with the privileges of the iDRAC service account. This behavior aligns with CWE-74 standards for Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, commonly known as injection flaws that enable command execution through improper input handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5685 extends far beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the server management infrastructure. Once exploited, authenticated users can gain full access to the underlying operating system through bash shell access, enabling them to modify system configurations, install malicious software, extract sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the management interface. This vulnerability essentially provides a gateway to the entire server management ecosystem, potentially allowing attackers to compromise multiple systems within a network that relies on these remote management capabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where iDRAC devices are used for critical infrastructure management, as it undermines the security boundaries that separate management interfaces from core system operations. Organizations using vulnerable iDRAC versions face significant risks including data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5685 primarily focus on firmware updates and operational security improvements. Dell has released firmware versions 2.40.40.40 and later that address this vulnerability through proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize immediate firmware upgrades across all affected iDRAC7 and iDRAC8 devices, ensuring that the update process includes thorough testing in non-production environments. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit who can access iDRAC management interfaces, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing strong authentication controls, enabling multi-factor authentication where possible, and monitoring for suspicious management activity. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web-based management interfaces and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and command execution through management interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious command execution patterns within management protocols. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security considerations for remote management interfaces and the need for comprehensive security testing of all management components within enterprise infrastructure.