CVE-2021-26573 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 webgeneratesslcfg function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-26573 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Baseboard Management Controller firmware of HPE Apollo 70 systems. This issue affects firmware versions prior to 3.0.14.0 and specifically targets the libifc.so library's webgeneratesslcfg function. The BMC serves as a critical management component responsible for system monitoring, remote administration, and hardware control, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where system reliability and security are paramount. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of SSL configuration generation, indicating that the vulnerability can be triggered through web-based management interfaces that utilize SSL/TLS protocols for secure communication.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper bounds checking within the webgeneratesslcfg function, which fails to validate input length before writing data to a fixed-size buffer. This classic buffer overflow vulnerability allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is classified as a local buffer overflow since it typically requires local access to the system or exploitation through a web interface that has access to the BMC's internal processes. The CWE-121 classification applies here as the vulnerability involves stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited to overwrite return addresses and control program execution flow. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 which describes exploitation of remote services through buffer overflow attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-26573 extends beyond simple system instability, as it potentially enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to the BMC management interface. Given that BMCs typically operate with elevated privileges and control critical system functions, successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify system configurations, extract sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects enterprise-grade hardware where system uptime and security are critical, making it particularly dangerous in data center environments where multiple systems may be managed through a centralized BMC interface. Organizations using HPE Apollo 70 systems without proper patch management protocols face significant risk of unauthorized system compromise, especially when the BMC is exposed to untrusted networks or when weak authentication mechanisms are in place.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on firmware updates and access control measures. HPE has released firmware version 3.0.14.0 and later that address this buffer overflow issue through proper input validation and memory management practices. Organizations should prioritize immediate firmware upgrades across their HPE Apollo 70 deployments, implementing robust patch management processes to ensure all systems receive the security updates. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of BMC interfaces to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around SSL configuration generation activities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware for management controllers and highlights the need for comprehensive security assessments of remote management interfaces in enterprise environments.