CVE-2018-1243 in iDRAC7
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC iDRAC6, versions prior to 2.91, iDRAC7/iDRAC8, versions prior to 2.60.60.60 and iDRAC9, versions prior to 3.21.21.21, contain a weak CGI session ID vulnerability. The sessions invoked via CGI binaries use 96-bit numeric-only session ID values, which makes it easier for remote attackers to perform bruteforce session guessing attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1243 affects Dell EMC iDRAC6, iDRAC7, iDRAC8, and iDRAC9 management interfaces across multiple firmware versions. This weakness resides in the session management mechanism that governs remote access to server hardware through the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller. The affected systems utilize CGI (Common Gateway Interface) binaries for handling remote management sessions, which implement session identifiers that are insufficiently random and predictable, creating a significant security risk for enterprise infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the implementation of 96-bit numeric-only session IDs that are generated using weak random number generation algorithms. These session identifiers are designed to uniquely identify user sessions within the iDRAC management interface, but their numeric-only composition and limited bit length significantly reduce the entropy required for successful brute force attacks. The 96-bit session ID space, while seemingly large, becomes vulnerable to exploitation due to predictable generation patterns and the absence of proper cryptographic randomization. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-330 category of "Use of Insufficiently Random Values" and represents a critical weakness in the authentication and session management framework of these remote management controllers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access attempts, as it enables sophisticated attackers to conduct systematic session guessing attacks against managed servers. Remote attackers can leverage automated tools to enumerate valid session IDs, potentially gaining unauthorized administrative access to server hardware without requiring valid credentials. This risk is particularly severe in enterprise environments where iDRAC interfaces are exposed to external networks or where default credentials have not been changed. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to compromise server integrity, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1046 for Network Service Scanning, representing the exploitation of weak session management as a means to achieve unauthorized access and network reconnaissance.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1243 require immediate firmware upgrades to the patched versions specified in the vulnerability advisory. Organizations must ensure that all affected iDRAC6 systems are updated to version 2.91 or later, iDRAC7 and iDRAC8 systems to version 2.60.60.60 or later, and iDRAC9 systems to version 3.21.21.21 or later. Beyond firmware updates, network administrators should implement additional security controls including restricting access to iDRAC interfaces through firewall rules, implementing network segmentation, and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper session management implementation in remote administration systems, emphasizing that session identifiers must utilize cryptographically secure random number generation to prevent brute force exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected systems and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts against these management interfaces.