CVE-2020-7135 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
A potential security vulnerability has been identified in the disk drive firmware installers named Supplemental Update / Online ROM Flash Component on HPE servers running Linux. The vulnerable software is included in the HPE Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) releases 2018.06.0, 2018.09.0, and 2018.11.0. The vulnerable software is the Supplemental Update / Online ROM Flash Component for Linux (x64) software. The installer in this software component could be locally exploited to execute arbitrary code. Drive Models can be found in the Vulnerability Resolution field of the security bulletin. The 2019_03 SPP and Supplemental update / Online ROM Flash Component for Linux (x64) after 2019.03.0 has fixed this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw in HPE server firmware update components that directly impacts the security posture of enterprise infrastructure. The vulnerability exists within the Supplemental Update/Online ROM Flash Component for Linux x64 software distributed through HPE Service Pack for ProLiant releases from 2018.06.0 through 2018.11.0. The flaw allows authenticated local users to execute arbitrary code during the firmware installation process, creating a persistent backdoor opportunity within server environments. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-749, which encompasses exposed dangerous methods or functions, specifically targeting the installer component's execution flow. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only local system access, making it exploitable by malicious insiders or attackers who have already gained user-level privileges on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient privilege separation within the firmware update installer. When the Supplemental Update component executes, it fails to properly sanitize user inputs or validate the integrity of the installation process, creating opportunities for code injection attacks. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Local Port Forwarding" and privilege escalation through legitimate system tools. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass normal security controls and execute malicious payloads with elevated privileges typically reserved for system administrators. The affected components are specifically designed for disk drive firmware updates, making them particularly dangerous as they operate at a low system level where they can directly manipulate hardware components and potentially gain root access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it compromises the fundamental integrity of server firmware management systems that are critical to enterprise security infrastructure. Organizations running affected HPE servers with SPP versions 2018.06.0 through 2018.11.0 face significant risk of persistent compromise, as attackers can establish footholds that survive system reboots and are difficult to detect through standard security monitoring. The vulnerability affects multiple drive models as specified in the security bulletin's Vulnerability Resolution field, indicating it is widespread across HPE server product lines. This flaw directly impacts the security of enterprise data centers where firmware integrity is paramount for maintaining system security, as compromised firmware update processes can lead to complete system takeover and data exfiltration. The attack scenario typically involves an authenticated user with access to the system performing a firmware update operation, where the malicious payload is executed during the update process.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through the deployment of HPE Service Pack for ProLiant 2019_03 or later releases, which contain the necessary patches to address the firmware installer flaw. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected systems running the vulnerable SPP versions and prioritize patching activities accordingly. The remediation process should include verification of the updated firmware components through HPE's official verification procedures and validation that the patch has been successfully applied. Security teams should also implement enhanced monitoring for suspicious update activities and establish baseline configurations for firmware update processes to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing privilege separation controls and limiting local administrative access to systems running affected firmware components, as this vulnerability requires only local user access to exploit. The vulnerability's resolution through the 2019_03 SPP release demonstrates the importance of maintaining current service packs and regularly updating enterprise infrastructure components to protect against known security flaws.