CVE-2018-7117 in Integrated Lights-Out 5
Summary
by MITRE
A remote Cross-Site Scripting in HPE iLO 5 Web User Interface vulnerability was identified in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5) for Gen10 ProLiant Servers earlier than version v1.40.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-7117 represents a critical remote cross-site scripting flaw discovered in HPE iLO 5 Web User Interface components. This vulnerability specifically affects HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 firmware versions prior to v1.40, impacting Gen10 ProLiant servers that rely on this remote management interface. The iLO 5 technology serves as a crucial out-of-band management solution that provides administrators with remote access to server hardware configuration, monitoring, and maintenance functions. When exploited, this XSS vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the web interface, potentially compromising the entire server management ecosystem.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the iLO 5 Web User Interface components. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that are executed in the context of authenticated users accessing the iLO 5 interface, leveraging the vulnerability to manipulate the web application's behavior. This flaw specifically manifests when user-supplied data is reflected back to the browser without proper sanitization, creating an environment where malicious scripts can execute within the victim's browser session. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as one of the most prevalent web application security vulnerabilities, with the specific weakness being the failure to properly encode output before rendering user-controllable data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive server management functions and data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to server configuration settings, view or modify system parameters, access logs containing sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the management interface. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the server or network proximity, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where servers are managed remotely. This flaw creates a significant risk for organizations relying on iLO 5 for critical infrastructure management, as it could lead to unauthorized system compromise and potential data breaches.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to HPE iLO 5 firmware version v1.40 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to iLO 5 interfaces, restricting access to management ports through firewall rules, and establishing strict access controls for iLO 5 administrative accounts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting languages and T1078.004 which addresses valid accounts with elevated privileges. Security teams should also monitor for suspicious access patterns in iLO 5 logs and implement intrusion detection systems capable of identifying potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of remote management interfaces and comprehensive vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other management systems throughout the organization's infrastructure.