CVE-2022-28626 in iLO 5
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
A local arbitrary code execution vulnerability was discovered in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5) firmware version(s): Prior to 2.71. A highly privileged user could locally exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code resulting in a complete loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. HPE has provided a firmware update to resolve this vulnerability in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-28626 represents a critical local arbitrary code execution flaw within HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 remote management firmware. This issue affects all versions prior to 2.71 and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the firmware's security architecture that allows authenticated local attackers to escalate privileges and execute malicious code with system-level access. The vulnerability resides in the firmware's handling of local authentication and privilege management mechanisms, creating an attack vector that bypasses normal security controls. The flaw enables a highly privileged user to leverage existing access credentials to gain complete control over the target system, fundamentally undermining the security posture of enterprise server infrastructure.
Technical analysis reveals that this vulnerability operates through a privilege escalation mechanism within the iLO 5 firmware's local execution environment. The flaw allows an attacker with local access to manipulate system processes or memory structures in a way that permits code execution beyond normal operational boundaries. This represents a classic example of a local privilege escalation vulnerability, which can be categorized under CWE-269: "Improper Privilege Management" and potentially CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" if the exploitation involves buffer manipulation. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical or administrative access is compromised, as it can be leveraged for lateral movement and persistence within corporate networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28626 is severe and encompasses complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability controls within affected systems. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, potentially allowing them to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system configurations, or disable security controls entirely. This vulnerability directly maps to several MITRE ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation, persistence, and defense evasion techniques, as attackers can use the compromised iLO 5 interface to maintain long-term access to target systems. The remote management capabilities of iLO 5 make this particularly dangerous, as the compromised system can serve as a gateway for attacking other network segments and accessing sensitive enterprise resources.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability must prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 2.71 or later, as provided by HPE to address the security flaw. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated firmware in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure. Additional mitigation strategies include implementing strict physical access controls to server hardware, monitoring for unusual system behavior or unauthorized access attempts, and reviewing existing access controls for iLO 5 interfaces to ensure only authorized personnel maintain local access. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all iLO 5 implementations within their environment and consider network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware for remote management systems and demonstrates how seemingly isolated firmware flaws can result in complete system compromise and enterprise-wide security implications.