CVE-2020-7205 in Intelligent Provisioning
Summary
by MITRE
A potential security vulnerability has been identified in HPE Intelligent Provisioning, Service Pack for ProLiant, and HPE Scripting ToolKit. The vulnerability could be locally exploited to allow arbitrary code execution during the boot process. **Note:** This vulnerability is related to using insmod in GRUB2 in the specific impacted HPE product and HPE is addressing this issue. HPE has made the following software updates and mitigation information to resolve the vulnerability in Intelligent Provisioning, Service Pack for ProLiant, and HPE Scripting ToolKit. HPE provided latest Intelligent Provisioning, Service Pack for ProLiant, and HPE Scripting Toolkit which includes the GRUB2 patch to resolve this vulnerability. These new boot images will update GRUB2 and the Forbidden Signature Database (DBX). After the DBX is updated, users will not be able to boot to the older IP, SPP or Scripting ToolKit with Secure Boot enabled. HPE have provided a standalone DBX update tool to work with Microsoft Windows, and supported Linux Operating Systems. These tools can be used to update the Forbidden Signature Database (DBX) from within the OS. **Note:** This DBX update mitigates the GRUB2 issue with insmod enabled, and the "Boot Hole" issue for HPE signed GRUB2 applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2020
This vulnerability resides within HPE Intelligent Provisioning, Service Pack for ProLiant, and HPE Scripting ToolKit products, representing a critical security flaw that enables local arbitrary code execution during system boot processes. The issue specifically targets the GRUB2 bootloader implementation within these HPE solutions, creating a pathway for attackers to execute malicious code before the operating system fully initializes. The vulnerability manifests through the insmod functionality within GRUB2, which allows loading of kernel modules during the boot sequence, thereby providing an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors with local access to the system. This represents a significant concern as it occurs at the earliest stage of system boot, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent footholds before traditional security controls can be activated.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the insecure handling of module loading within the GRUB2 bootloader, specifically when the insmod command is enabled and accessible during the boot process. This flaw aligns with CWE-436, which addresses the improper handling of security-relevant information, and represents a direct threat to the integrity of the boot process. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious code that can execute with the highest privileges available during system initialization, potentially allowing for complete system compromise. The attack vector requires local access to the system but provides the attacker with the ability to execute arbitrary code during the critical boot phase, making it particularly dangerous. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework category of Boot or Logon Initialization Scripts and the broader technique of Exploitation for Privilege Escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of systems running affected HPE software. Once exploited, attackers can establish persistent backdoors, modify system binaries, and potentially gain access to sensitive data before the operating system's security mechanisms are fully operational. The vulnerability affects the core boot process, making it difficult to detect and remediate without complete system reinstallation or specialized recovery procedures. Organizations relying on HPE Intelligent Provisioning, Service Pack for ProLiant, and HPE Scripting ToolKit for system deployment and management face significant risk, as these tools are commonly used in enterprise environments where system integrity is paramount. The vulnerability's timing during boot operations means that traditional runtime security controls may be ineffective against attacks exploiting this flaw.
HPE has addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive software updates that include GRUB2 patches and updates to the Forbidden Signature Database (DBX). The updated boot images provide enhanced security by modifying the GRUB2 bootloader to prevent unauthorized module loading during the boot process. These updates specifically target the insmod functionality that was previously vulnerable, effectively closing the attack vector that enabled local arbitrary code execution. The DBX updates are critical components of the mitigation strategy, as they prevent booting from older versions of the affected software that contain the vulnerable GRUB2 implementations. HPE has provided both standalone DBX update tools for Microsoft Windows and supported Linux operating systems, enabling organizations to update their systems from within the running operating environment. This dual approach to mitigation addresses both the immediate bootloader vulnerability and the broader "Boot Hole" issue affecting HPE-signed GRUB2 applications, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future. The requirement for updated boot images means that systems must be reinstalled with the patched versions to fully eliminate the risk, as the vulnerable DBX signatures cannot be simply updated without proper boot image replacement.