CVE-2018-7941 in iBMC
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei iBMC V200R002C60 have an authentication bypass vulnerability. A remote attacker with low privilege may craft specific messages to upload authentication certificate to the affected products. Due to improper validation of the upload authority, successful exploit may cause privilege elevation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7941 affects Huawei iBMC V200R002C60 systems, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of enterprise data centers. This vulnerability resides within the iBMC (integrated Baseboard Management Controller) firmware responsible for remote management of Huawei servers, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to critical infrastructure. The issue stems from inadequate validation mechanisms during certificate upload processes, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation that directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits improper validation of upload authority within the iBMC management interface. Attackers can craft specific malicious messages that bypass the normal authentication checks required for certificate uploads, effectively allowing them to inject authentication certificates without proper authorization. This flaw operates at the protocol level where the system fails to properly verify the legitimacy of certificate upload requests, creating a gap in the authentication chain that can be exploited by remote attackers with minimal privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and demonstrates how weak input validation can lead to privilege escalation in management interfaces. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only low privilege access to potentially elevate privileges, making it a significant threat to server security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with persistent access to critical server management functions. Once exploited, attackers can manipulate system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially compromise the entire server infrastructure. The iBMC interface typically handles critical functions including system monitoring, remote power management, and firmware updates, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where server security is paramount. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for persistence, as successful exploitation allows attackers to establish long-term access to server management interfaces. Organizations relying on Huawei servers for critical operations face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7941 require immediate action including applying official Huawei security patches and firmware updates to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to iBMC management interfaces, ensuring that only authorized administrative networks can reach these critical endpoints. Additional security measures include implementing strict access controls, monitoring for unauthorized certificate uploads, and conducting regular security audits of management interfaces. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary management services and implementing multi-factor authentication for any remaining administrative access points. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure firmware development practices and proper input validation, as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for system and information integrity. Regular security assessments of management interfaces and continuous monitoring for anomalous certificate upload activities remain essential defensive measures against this and similar vulnerabilities.