CVE-2019-3706 in iDRAC9
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC iDRAC9 versions prior to 3.24.24.24, 3.21.26.22, 3.22.22.22 and 3.21.25.22 contain an authentication bypass vulnerability. A remote attacker may potentially exploit this vulnerability to bypass authentication and gain access to the system by sending specially crafted data to the iDRAC web interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-3706 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Dell EMC iDRAC9 remote management controllers. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of the iDRAC9 firmware across different release branches, specifically those prior to 3.24.24.24, 3.21.26.22, 3.22.22.22, and 3.21.25.22. The flaw resides in the web interface component of the iDRAC9 system, which is designed to provide out-of-band management capabilities for Dell servers. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of authentication tokens and session management mechanisms within the web interface, allowing unauthenticated attackers to bypass the standard authentication process. This issue is particularly concerning because iDRAC9 interfaces are typically accessible over the network and often deployed in environments where physical security is not strictly enforced, making them attractive targets for remote exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the iDRAC9 web interface, which triggers a flaw in the authentication handling logic. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the management interface without requiring valid credentials, effectively providing them with full administrative privileges over the target system. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation and insufficient session management controls, which are classified under CWE-287 - Improper Authentication. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the authentication flow and establish unauthorized sessions with elevated privileges. The flaw enables remote code execution capabilities when combined with other exploitation techniques, as attackers can access the underlying operating system and management functions of the server. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 - Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts and T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents an unauthenticated remote access vector through a publicly exposed management interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with comprehensive control over the managed server's configuration and operations. Once exploited, attackers can modify system settings, install malicious software, monitor network traffic, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the managed systems, as attackers can access sensitive configuration data, system logs, and potentially exfiltrate data from the server. Organizations using affected iDRAC9 versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations, especially in environments where compliance requirements mandate strict access controls and audit trails. The vulnerability also impacts availability, as attackers can potentially disrupt services by modifying critical system parameters or disabling management functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-3706 primarily focus on firmware updates to the affected iDRAC9 versions, with Dell releasing patches specifically addressing this authentication bypass vulnerability. Organizations should immediately upgrade to the latest firmware versions that contain the necessary security fixes, which typically include enhanced authentication mechanisms and proper session management controls. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict access to iDRAC9 interfaces, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary management services, implementing strong network access controls, and monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting the iDRAC9 web interface. The remediation process should include thorough testing of firmware updates in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing systems and avoid potential service disruptions. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected iDRAC9 versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and business criticality.