CVE-2017-3774 in Integrated Management Module 2
Summary
by MITRE
A stack overflow vulnerability was discovered within the web administration service in Integrated Management Module 2 (IMM2) earlier than version 4.70 used in some Lenovo servers and earlier than version 6.60 used in some IBM servers. An attacker providing a crafted user ID and password combination can cause a portion of the authentication routine to overflow its stack, resulting in stack corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3774 represents a critical stack overflow flaw within the web administration service of Integrated Management Module 2 systems. This issue affects Lenovo servers running IMM2 firmware versions prior to 4.70 and IBM servers with firmware versions earlier than 6.60. The vulnerability resides in the authentication routine where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate the user ID and password fields during the login process. The flaw manifests when the system processes specially crafted credentials that exceed the allocated stack buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited for arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The authentication service in IMM2 handles user credentials through a routine that fails to properly validate the length of input strings before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers. This allows an attacker to craft malicious input that exceeds the buffer capacity, causing the stack to overflow and potentially overwrite return addresses or other critical program state information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web administration interface, making it accessible through network-based attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3774 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides potential for complete system compromise and privilege escalation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain administrative access to the server's management interface, potentially allowing them to modify system configurations, extract sensitive data, or establish persistent access points. The attack vector requires network connectivity to the affected web administration service and can be executed without prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where management interfaces are accessible from untrusted networks. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to leverage legitimate administrative credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3774 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from both Lenovo and IBM to address the underlying stack overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation to restrict access to management interfaces and ensure that only authorized administrative workstations can reach these services. Additional protective measures include configuring firewalls to limit access to the affected ports and implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous authentication patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in security-critical code, particularly within authentication routines where attackers can manipulate input parameters to cause memory corruption. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.