CVE-2018-9085 in Server Platform Service
Summary
by MITRE
A write protection lock bit was left unset after boot on an older generation of Lenovo and IBM System x servers, potentially allowing an attacker with administrator access to modify the subset of flash memory containing Intel Server Platform Services (SPS) and the system Flash Descriptors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9085 represents a critical security flaw in the firmware initialization process of legacy Lenovo and IBM System x servers. This issue stems from improper configuration of hardware-level write protection mechanisms during the boot sequence, creating a persistent security weakness that could be exploited by attackers with administrative privileges. The flaw specifically affects older generation servers where the write protection lock bit remains unset, leaving portions of the system's flash memory unprotected and vulnerable to modification.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Intel Server Platform Services component and system Flash Descriptors which are critical firmware elements responsible for system configuration and platform management. When the write protection lock bit is left unset, it allows unauthorized modification of the flash memory regions containing these sensitive components. This represents a failure in the hardware security initialization process where the system does not properly enforce write protection mechanisms that should be active from the moment the system boots. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-696 as a security feature that is incorrectly implemented or not implemented at all, specifically in the context of hardware-level memory protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized modifications, as it provides attackers with persistent access to critical system firmware components that control platform services and configuration parameters. An attacker with administrator-level access could leverage this weakness to modify the SPS firmware, potentially gaining deeper system control, installing backdoors, or altering system behavior in ways that would be difficult to detect. The Flash Descriptors, which contain critical information about the flash memory layout and access permissions, become vulnerable to manipulation, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks that could compromise system integrity and availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for legacy server environments. The primary recommendation involves ensuring that proper firmware updates are applied to affected systems, which should include correct initialization of write protection lock bits during the boot process. Organizations should also implement comprehensive firmware integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to flash memory components. Additionally, access controls should be strictly enforced to limit administrator privileges to only those individuals who require such access for legitimate system maintenance purposes. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' and T1014 which addresses 'Rootkit" techniques, as it provides a pathway for attackers to establish persistent control over system firmware components. The remediation process should also include regular security assessments of legacy systems to identify similar hardware-level security configurations that may have been overlooked during initial deployment and ongoing maintenance cycles.