CVE-2017-8979 in Integrated Lights-Out
Summary
by MITRE
Security vulnerabilities in the HPE Integrated Lights-Out 2 (iLO 2) firmware could be exploited remotely to allow authentication bypass, code execution, and denial of service.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The CVE-2017-8979 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 2 firmware that exposes remote attack vectors capable of compromising system integrity and availability. This vulnerability affects the iLO 2 management interface, which serves as a remote administration tool for HPE servers, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking unauthorized access to enterprise infrastructure. The flaw resides in the firmware implementation of the iLO 2 platform, specifically within its authentication mechanisms and session management protocols that govern remote administrative access to server hardware.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and weak authentication controls within the iLO 2 firmware architecture. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass authentication mechanisms without requiring valid credentials, effectively gaining administrative access to the target system. The vulnerability allows for remote code execution capabilities, enabling malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the affected servers. Additionally, the flaw can be exploited to trigger denial of service conditions that render the management interface unavailable, thereby preventing legitimate administrators from performing critical maintenance operations. This multi-vector attack capability makes CVE-2017-8979 particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected systems while simultaneously disrupting normal operations.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2017-8979 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on HPE iLO 2 for remote server management, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to establish persistent access points within enterprise networks. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence, making the attack vector particularly concerning for organizations with distributed server infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts usage, as the flaw enables unauthorized access through legitimate administrative interfaces.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-8979 should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from HPE to address the authentication bypass and code execution vulnerabilities. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to isolate iLO 2 interfaces from production networks, while disabling unnecessary management services and implementing strict access controls. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious authentication attempts and unusual network traffic patterns associated with iLO 2 communications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware across all server management interfaces and implementing regular security assessments to identify similar weaknesses in legacy systems. Organizations should consider replacing outdated iLO 2 implementations with newer versions that offer improved security features and ongoing support, as the iLO 2 platform has reached end-of-life and no longer receives security updates from HPE.