CVE-2020-5366 in iDRAC9
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC iDRAC9 versions prior to 4.20.20.20 contain a Path Traversal Vulnerability. A remote authenticated malicious user with low privileges could potentially exploit this vulnerability by manipulating input parameters to gain unauthorized read access to the arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2020
The CVE-2020-5366 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw within Dell EMC iDRAC9 remote management controllers affecting versions prior to 4.20.20.20. This vulnerability resides in the web interface component of the iDRAC9 firmware and specifically targets the authentication and input validation mechanisms that govern file access operations. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate input parameters through crafted requests that bypass normal file access controls and potentially access sensitive system files or directories that should otherwise be restricted. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 Path Traversal which is a well-documented weakness in software applications where user-supplied input is not properly validated or sanitized before being used in file system operations. This weakness enables attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files outside the intended directory structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access as it provides a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability to read arbitrary files on the system, potentially including configuration files, credential stores, or other sensitive data that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that iDRAC9 controllers are typically deployed in enterprise environments where they serve as critical management interfaces for servers and infrastructure components. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that an attacker does not need physical access to the target system, as the flaw can be exploited over the network from any location where the iDRAC9 service is accessible. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and control communication and T1078 for valid accounts, as the vulnerability leverages existing authentication mechanisms to escalate privileges or access additional resources.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2020-5366 requires an authenticated user session with low privileges, which significantly lowers the barrier to exploitation compared to vulnerabilities requiring administrative access. Attackers can manipulate file path parameters through HTTP requests to the iDRAC9 web interface, using techniques such as directory traversal sequences like "../" to navigate to restricted directories. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be used to access system files that may contain sensitive information such as encryption keys, configuration data, or other artifacts that could be leveraged for further attacks. Organizations running affected iDRAC9 versions face significant risk as this vulnerability could be exploited by threat actors to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure management systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remediation approach involves updating the iDRAC9 firmware to version 4.20.20.20 or later, which includes patches that properly validate input parameters and prevent path traversal attacks. Security professionals should also implement network segmentation to limit access to iDRAC9 interfaces and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to these management systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for robust security controls in remote management interfaces that are critical to enterprise infrastructure operations.