CVE-2019-11170 in Baseboard Management Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Authentication bypass in Intel(R) Baseboard Management Controller firmware may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure, escalation of privilege and/or denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11170 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Intel(R) Baseboard Management Controller firmware implementations. This issue affects the foundational security architecture of server management systems, where the Baseboard Management Controller serves as a dedicated microcontroller responsible for out-of-band management of enterprise hardware. The flaw resides in the firmware layer that governs access control mechanisms, creating a pathway for unauthorized individuals with local physical access to circumvent established authentication protocols. Such a vulnerability fundamentally undermines the security model designed to protect sensitive management interfaces and system configurations.
The technical nature of this authentication bypass stems from improper validation of access credentials within the firmware implementation. Attackers exploiting this weakness can potentially gain unauthorized access to management interfaces without proper authentication, enabling them to manipulate system settings, extract sensitive configuration data, or disrupt normal operational procedures. The vulnerability specifically targets the local access vector, meaning that an attacker must have physical proximity to the target system to exploit the flaw, though this requirement does not diminish its severity given the potential for insider threats or compromised physical environments. The underlying mechanism likely involves insufficient input validation or improper state management during authentication sequences, allowing malicious actors to bypass standard credential verification processes.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2019-11170 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass multiple security consequences including information disclosure, privilege escalation, and denial of service conditions. The potential for information disclosure represents a significant concern as management controllers typically contain sensitive system data, configuration parameters, and potentially cryptographic keys used for system authentication. Privilege escalation capabilities could allow attackers to assume administrative control over the target system, while denial of service attacks could disrupt critical infrastructure operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and represents a direct threat to the principle of least privilege in enterprise security architectures. The attack surface is particularly concerning in data center environments where physical security controls may be insufficient or where insider threats exist.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Intel and system administrators should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their management interfaces. The remediation process requires careful coordination with hardware vendors to ensure proper firmware deployment without disrupting critical system operations. Additional protective measures should include enhanced physical security controls, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and implementation of network segmentation strategies to limit the attack surface of management interfaces. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for suspicious management interface activity and establish incident response procedures tailored to address potential exploitation of this authentication bypass vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of legitimate credentials and system access to gain unauthorized system control, making it a critical concern for enterprise security posture assessment and risk management programs.