CVE-2021-0185 in Server Board M10JNP Family
Summary
by MITRE • 11/11/2022
Improper input validation in the firmware for some Intel(R) Server Board M10JNP Family before version 7.216 may allow a privileged user to potentially enable an escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0185 affects the firmware of Intel Server Board M10JNP Family devices, specifically those running firmware versions prior to 7.216. This issue represents a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the firmware implementation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20, which denotes "Improper Input Validation," a fundamental weakness that occurs when software does not properly validate or sanitize input data before processing it. The affected firmware components operate at a low level within the system's boot process, making them prime targets for privilege escalation attacks that could compromise the entire system integrity.
The technical flaw manifests when a privileged user with local access attempts to exploit the insufficient input validation in the firmware's processing routines. This allows an attacker to manipulate input parameters that should be strictly validated, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the firmware level, which means that traditional operating system security measures may not be sufficient to prevent exploitation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain root-level access to the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. The local access requirement suggests that physical or network access to the system is necessary for exploitation, but once achieved, the impact can be devastating.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to modify critical system components, install malware, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. Server boards represent critical infrastructure components in enterprise environments, and compromising their firmware can lead to widespread security breaches affecting multiple systems. The vulnerability affects the broader Intel Server Board M10JNP Family, indicating a potential widespread impact across various enterprise deployments where these boards are utilized. Organizations relying on these server platforms may face significant operational disruptions, data breaches, and compliance violations if the vulnerability is exploited. The nature of firmware-level attacks also means that traditional security tools and endpoint protection may fail to detect or prevent the exploitation, as the attack occurs below the operating system layer.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-0185 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 7.216 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the input validation flaws. Organizations should implement robust firmware update policies that include regular security assessments and automated patch management systems to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of firmware updates in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to avoid potential service disruptions. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their server infrastructure to identify other potential firmware-related vulnerabilities that may exist within their network. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit local access privileges, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include firmware integrity monitoring and continuous security assessment protocols. Organizations should consider implementing the ATT&CK framework's firmware security tactics to better understand and defend against such low-level system attacks, particularly focusing on the persistence and privilege escalation techniques that leverage firmware vulnerabilities.