CVE-2020-24474 in Server Boards
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Buffer overflow in the BMC firmware for some Intel(R) Server Boards, Server Systems and Compute Modules before version 2.48.ce3e3bd2 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via adjacent access.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the Baseboard Management Controller firmware of Intel server infrastructure products. The flaw exists in the BMC firmware version 2.48.ce3e3bd2 and earlier, affecting various Intel server boards, systems, and compute modules. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and privilege escalation mechanisms within the BMC's operational environment, creating a potential pathway for attackers to gain elevated system privileges. The buffer overflow occurs during processing of inputs that exceed allocated memory boundaries, potentially allowing an authenticated user with adjacent network access to exploit this condition.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the BMC firmware components. When legitimate authenticated users interact with the BMC through adjacent network access, the firmware fails to properly bounds-check data inputs, leading to memory corruption. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The operational impact of this flaw extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it potentially enables attackers to modify firmware components, access sensitive system information, or disrupt normal operations through unauthorized administrative actions.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires an authenticated user with adjacent network access to the BMC interface, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for phishing with social engineering. The adjacent access requirement means attackers must be physically present or connected to the same network segment as the target system, limiting the scope but not eliminating the threat. Organizations running affected Intel server infrastructure are particularly vulnerable since the BMC typically operates with elevated privileges and controls critical system functions including power management, remote console access, and hardware monitoring. This makes the potential impact of privilege escalation significant as attackers could gain complete administrative control over the server's hardware management functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to version 2.48.ce3e3bd2 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit adjacent access to BMC interfaces, enforce strong authentication controls, and monitor for unusual BMC activity patterns. Additional protective measures include disabling unused BMC features, implementing network access controls, and regularly auditing BMC configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of firmware security in server infrastructure and highlights the need for continuous monitoring and updating of embedded system components. Organizations should also consider implementing security controls that align with NIST SP 800-171 requirements for protecting industrial control systems and embedded devices, particularly focusing on firmware integrity verification and secure update mechanisms.