CVE-2021-0097 in Server Board M10JNP2S
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2021
Path traversal in the BMC firmware for Intel(R) Server Board M10JNP2SB before version EFI BIOS 7215, BMC 8100.01.08 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable a denial of service via adjacent access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw within the Baseboard Management Controller firmware of Intel Server Board M10JNP2SB systems. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the BMC firmware that fails to properly sanitize file paths during firmware operations. Attackers with adjacent network access can exploit this weakness to manipulate file system navigation sequences and potentially disrupt normal system operations. The vulnerability specifically affects BMC firmware versions prior to EFI BIOS 7215 and BMC 8100.01.08, indicating that this represents a known weakness that was addressed through firmware updates. The path traversal vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to traverse directory structures and potentially access restricted system resources or files that should remain protected from unauthorized access. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in BMC environments because these controllers provide out-of-band management capabilities and often have elevated privileges within the system architecture. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it could potentially enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information or manipulate critical firmware components. The adjacent access requirement means that attackers must be physically present on the network segment or have network-level access to the system, which reduces the attack surface compared to remotely exploitable vulnerabilities but still represents a significant security risk. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers could potentially execute commands through the compromised BMC interface. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the firmware's security architecture where proper input validation and access control mechanisms were not adequately implemented. This weakness could be leveraged by attackers to disrupt system availability, potentially causing service interruptions or system instability. The BMC firmware serves as a critical management interface that allows administrators to monitor and control server hardware remotely, making any vulnerabilities in this component particularly concerning for enterprise environments. Organizations running affected Intel server boards should prioritize immediate firmware updates to address this vulnerability and ensure that proper network segmentation and access controls are implemented to limit adjacent access to these critical systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust patch management processes for server management controllers. Security teams should consider monitoring for suspicious BMC activity and network traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. This particular vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of embedded systems and firmware components, as these elements often receive less attention than application-level security measures. The path traversal issue represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that can lead to severe operational consequences in management interfaces. Organizations should implement continuous monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in their server infrastructure and ensure that firmware updates are applied promptly to maintain system integrity and security posture. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue indicates that while it may not directly compromise system confidentiality or integrity, it can severely impact system availability and operational continuity.