CVE-2018-7112 in Windows Firmware Installer
Summary
by MITRE
The HPE-provided Windows firmware installer for certain Gen9, Gen8, G7,and G6 HPE servers allows local disclosure of privileged information. This issue was resolved in previously provided firmware updates as follows. The HPE Windows firmware installer was updated in the system ROM updates which also addressed the original Spectre/Meltdown set of vulnerabilities. At that time, the Windows firmware installer was also updated in the versions of HPE Integrated Lights-Out 2, 3, and 4 (iLO 2, 3, and 4) listed in the security bulletin. The updated HPE Windows firmware installer was released in the system ROM and HPE Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) releases documented in earlier HPE Security Bulletins: HPESBHF03805, HPESBHF03835, HPESBHF03831. Windows-based systems that have already been updated to the system ROM or iLO versions described in these security bulletins require no further action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7112 represents a privilege escalation issue within HPE server firmware installation processes affecting multiple generations of servers including Gen9, Gen8, G7, and G6 models. This weakness specifically targets the Windows firmware installer component that HPE provides for system administrators and technicians to update server firmware. The flaw allows local attackers with access to the system to potentially disclose privileged information that should remain restricted to authorized administrative users. This represents a significant security concern as it undermines the integrity of the firmware update process and could potentially enable unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability was particularly concerning given that it occurred within the firmware installation mechanism itself, which typically requires elevated privileges to execute properly.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and privilege validation within the HPE Windows firmware installer component. When the installer executes, it fails to properly validate the privileges of the user initiating the firmware update process, allowing local users to access information that should be restricted to privileged system administrators. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of insufficient privilege checking or privilege validation, which is classified as CWE-276. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during the firmware update process, which is a critical maintenance operation where elevated privileges are normally expected and enforced. The installer's failure to properly enforce these privileges creates an attack vector where local users can potentially extract sensitive information that could be used to escalate their access further or understand the system's internal state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within server environments. Systems that are updated with firmware versions containing this vulnerability could be at risk of unauthorized access to system configuration data, security settings, or other sensitive information that would normally be protected. The vulnerability affects enterprise server environments where HPE Gen9, Gen8, G7, and G6 servers are deployed, which are commonly found in data centers, server farms, and enterprise computing environments where security is paramount. Attackers could potentially leverage this information disclosure to gain deeper insights into system configurations, which could then be used to plan more targeted attacks against the affected systems. The vulnerability also impacts the overall trust model of the firmware update process, as it suggests that the system's security controls may be insufficient to prevent unauthorized access during critical maintenance operations.
The resolution for this vulnerability was implemented through comprehensive firmware updates that addressed not only the privilege escalation issue but also the broader Spectre and Meltdown vulnerability landscape that was prevalent in 2018. HPE's response included updating the Windows firmware installer component within system ROM updates and specifically addressed the issue in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 2, 3, and 4 management interfaces. The security bulletin references HPESBHF03805, HPESBHF03835, and HPESBHF03831 which document the specific versions and releases that contain the necessary patches. This coordinated approach to vulnerability remediation aligns with the ATT&CK framework's concept of privilege escalation through software exploitation, where attackers would need to leverage system vulnerabilities to gain elevated access. The updated firmware versions properly enforce privilege validation during the installation process, ensuring that only users with appropriate administrative credentials can access the sensitive information that was previously exposed. Organizations that have deployed these updates are no longer at risk from this specific vulnerability, as the patched firmware correctly implements access controls and privilege validation mechanisms.