CVE-2020-24475 in Server Board
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Improper initialization 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 denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-24475 represents a critical flaw in the baseboard management controller firmware of certain Intel server platforms. This issue affects Intel server boards, systems, and compute modules where the BMC firmware version is prior to 2.48.ce3e3bd2, creating a significant security risk for enterprise infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from improper initialization processes within the BMC firmware, which governs the remote management capabilities of server hardware. The BMC serves as a dedicated processor for system management and monitoring, providing out-of-band access for administrators to control servers even when the operating system is unresponsive or failed. This flaw specifically impacts the firmware initialization sequence, potentially allowing an authenticated user with local access to manipulate the BMC's operational state.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-665 Improper Initialization, which describes situations where initialization code fails to properly establish the initial state of a system component. In this context, the BMC firmware's initialization process does not adequately secure or configure critical system components, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who can authenticate locally to the system. The improper initialization could result in the BMC failing to properly establish security boundaries, authentication mechanisms, or operational parameters that are essential for maintaining system integrity. This vulnerability represents a failure in the firmware's boot process where security-relevant variables or system states are not correctly initialized, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability. The authentication requirement for exploitation indicates that while local access is necessary, the vulnerability could be leveraged by an attacker who has already gained some level of system access, potentially through legitimate administrative credentials or other means of local compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, though that is the primary concern. A successful exploitation could result in complete system unavailability, requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations. The BMC's role in server management means that if this vulnerability is exploited, administrators may lose the ability to remotely monitor or control the affected systems, potentially requiring physical access to the hardware for recovery. This represents a significant risk for data center environments where remote management is critical for maintaining uptime and operational efficiency. The vulnerability could be particularly dangerous in cloud or virtualized environments where BMC access is essential for system maintenance, monitoring, and recovery operations. Organizations relying on automated management systems or orchestration platforms that depend on BMC functionality could experience cascading failures throughout their infrastructure, as the loss of BMC capabilities would prevent normal system maintenance and recovery procedures from executing properly.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates to version 2.48.ce3e3bd2 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the improper initialization issue. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and business criticality. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit local access to systems where possible, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual BMC activity or attempts to manipulate system management functions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1072 Application Deployment Software and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation would likely involve local command execution and potentially automated deployment of malicious payloads. System administrators should also implement regular firmware update schedules and maintain detailed documentation of BMC configurations to ensure rapid recovery if similar vulnerabilities are discovered in the future. Compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-128 for firmware security and ISO/IEC 27031 for business continuity planning should be maintained to ensure comprehensive protection against such vulnerabilities.