CVE-2016-6900 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Intelligent Baseboard Management Controller (iBMC) in Huawei RH1288 V3 servers with software before V100R003C00SPC613; RH2288 V3 servers with software before V100R003C00SPC617; RH2288H V3 servers with software before V100R003C00SPC515; RH5885 V3 servers with software before V100R003C10SPC102; and XH620 V3, XH622 V3, and XH628 V3 servers with software before V100R003C00SPC610 allows local users to cause a denial of service (iBMC resource consumption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6900 affects Huawei's Intelligent Baseboard Management Controller (iBMC) implementations across multiple server models including RH1288 V3, RH2288 V3, RH2288H V3, RH5885 V3, and various XH620, XH622, and XH628 V3 platforms. This issue represents a significant security concern within enterprise data center infrastructure as the iBMC serves as a critical management component responsible for remote server monitoring, configuration, and system health assessment. The vulnerability specifically targets the resource consumption aspects of the iBMC system, potentially allowing local attackers to exhaust system resources and disrupt normal operational functions. The affected software versions span multiple service pack releases, indicating this was a widespread issue affecting various hardware generations within Huawei's server portfolio. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service condition suggests that attackers could potentially compromise system availability through resource exhaustion rather than direct privilege escalation or data compromise.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that enable local users to manipulate iBMC resource consumption patterns in ways that lead to system instability or complete service unavailability. This type of vulnerability typically involves improper input validation or resource management within the iBMC's internal processes, where malicious or malformed requests could cause the system to consume excessive CPU cycles, memory, or other critical resources. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways could potentially trigger this resource exhaustion condition, making the vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against as it could be exploited through various means including malformed API calls, configuration changes, or specific command sequences. The iBMC's role as a remote management interface means that such resource exhaustion could potentially be exploited by attackers with local access to the system or through compromised local accounts, creating a significant risk for enterprise environments where physical access controls may be insufficient.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6900 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire data center operations and system availability. When iBMC resources are consumed excessively, the management interface becomes unresponsive, preventing administrators from monitoring system health, performing remote diagnostics, or managing server configurations through standard management channels. This creates a cascading effect where legitimate administrative tasks become impossible, system maintenance operations are delayed, and the overall reliability of the server infrastructure deteriorates. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where multiple servers share common management infrastructure, as a single compromised server could potentially impact broader operational capabilities. Organizations relying on iBMC for critical infrastructure monitoring and management would face significant operational challenges, including potential service outages, delayed incident response times, and reduced overall system reliability. The resource consumption aspect of this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the resource exhaustion tactic, specifically targeting system availability through consumption of computational resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6900 should prioritize immediate software updates to the affected Huawei server models, with particular attention to upgrading to versions that include patches addressing the resource consumption vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of iBMC resource usage to detect abnormal consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, utilizing system logs and performance monitoring tools to identify potential attacks. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit local access to server management interfaces, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to resource management and input validation suggests that defensive measures should focus on implementing robust input validation, resource usage limits, and proper error handling within the iBMC implementations. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their server infrastructure to identify all affected systems and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and criticality of the impacted servers. Regular security audits and continuous monitoring of management interfaces should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future, ensuring that all management components maintain proper resource handling and input validation mechanisms.