CVE-2021-26570 in Apollo 70
Summary
by MITRE • 02/09/2021
The Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) firmware in HPE Apollo 70 System prior to version 3.0.14.0 has a local buffer overflow in libifc.so webifc_setadconfig function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-26570 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Baseboard Management Controller firmware of HPE Apollo 70 systems. This issue specifically affects firmware versions prior to 3.0.14.0 and resides within the libifc.so library's webifc_setadconfig function. The BMC serves as a crucial component for out-of-band system management, providing remote access to hardware monitoring, configuration, and control functions. When compromised, this vulnerability can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the webifc_setadconfig function, which processes configuration data for Active Directory settings. The flaw allows an attacker to supply malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing a stack-based buffer overflow condition. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of unsafe memory manipulation where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption. The buffer overflow can be exploited through local access points, making it particularly concerning for systems where physical or network access is possible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to gain persistent access to the BMC environment, which typically operates with administrative privileges. This access can facilitate lateral movement within network segments, data exfiltration, and further compromise of connected systems. The vulnerability's presence in a widely deployed server infrastructure means that organizations may face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where the BMC is accessible over the network or where local physical access is not adequately controlled. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that BMCs often serve as entry points for attackers seeking to establish footholds within enterprise networks.
Organizations should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 3.0.14.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the affected systems represent critical infrastructure components. Additional mitigations include network segmentation of BMC access, implementing strict access controls and authentication mechanisms, and monitoring for suspicious activity in BMC management interfaces. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting BMC interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as exploitation would likely involve gaining administrative access through the compromised BMC. Furthermore, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of firmware security and the need for proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those with remote management capabilities that form critical components of enterprise infrastructure security.