CVE-2022-28631 in iLO 5
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
A potential arbitrary code execution and a denial of service (DoS) vulnerability within an isolated process were discovered in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5) firmware version(s): Prior to 2.71. An unprivileged user could exploit this vulnerability in an adjacent network to potentially execute arbitrary code in an isolated process resulting in a complete loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability within that process. In addition, an unprivileged user could exploit a denial of service (DoS) vulnerability in an isolated process resulting in a complete loss of availability within that process. 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 identified as CVE-2022-28631 affects HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5) firmware versions prior to 2.71, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of isolated processes within the remote management infrastructure. This vulnerability exists within the firmware layer of HPE's server management solution, specifically targeting the iLO 5 component that provides out-of-band management capabilities for HPE servers. The flaw manifests as a potential arbitrary code execution vulnerability within isolated processes, which fundamentally compromises the security model that iLO 5 employs to maintain separation between management functions and the primary system operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it also encompasses a denial of service condition that can completely eliminate availability within the affected isolated processes. This dual nature of the vulnerability creates a comprehensive threat landscape where an attacker can simultaneously compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability aspects of the targeted system's management functions. The vulnerability exists in the context of adjacent network access, meaning that an unprivileged attacker who can reach the iLO 5 management interface through a local network segment can exploit this flaw without requiring authentication or elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and potential memory corruption issues within the isolated process execution environment of iLO 5. The flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to inject malicious code into isolated processes that should normally operate with restricted privileges and limited access to system resources. This represents a significant bypass of the security isolation mechanisms that iLO 5 employs to protect against unauthorized access to critical system functions. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway likely involves malformed input or crafted network requests that can cause the isolated process to execute unintended code sequences. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-78, which addresses OS command injection vulnerabilities. The attack vector specifically targets the communication protocols used by iLO 5 for remote management, which typically utilize HTTPS and other network services that may be accessible from adjacent network segments. The fact that this vulnerability operates within isolated processes indicates that it may leverage privilege escalation techniques or direct memory manipulation to achieve code execution in contexts where such access should be restricted.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28631 is severe and multifaceted, as it can result in complete compromise of the affected system's management capabilities. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability for arbitrary code execution, they gain the ability to execute malicious payloads within the isolated process environment, potentially leading to full system compromise or data exfiltration. The confidentiality aspect is compromised as attackers can access sensitive information that should remain protected within the isolated management environment. Integrity is undermined as attackers can modify system configurations, update firmware, or manipulate management functions to their advantage. The availability component of the attack can cause denial of service conditions that prevent legitimate administrators from accessing the management interface or performing critical system maintenance functions. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where HPE servers are deployed, as it can lead to complete loss of remote management capabilities and potential system-wide outages. Organizations may face significant operational disruption when this vulnerability is exploited, as it can render critical management functions inaccessible and require extensive recovery procedures.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2022-28631 centers on updating the HPE iLO 5 firmware to version 2.71 or later, which includes patches addressing the specific code execution and denial of service vulnerabilities within the isolated processes. Security teams should prioritize this firmware update as a critical remediation measure, particularly for systems that are exposed to adjacent network segments or where network segmentation is insufficient to prevent unauthorized access to management interfaces. The update process requires careful planning and execution to avoid potential service interruptions during the firmware upgrade cycle, as iLO 5 management functions may be temporarily unavailable during the update process. Organizations should implement a comprehensive vulnerability management program that includes regular firmware updates, network segmentation, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to management interfaces. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1499 for endpoint denial of service, demonstrating how a single vulnerability can enable multiple attack patterns. Network administrators should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts to iLO 5 interfaces, as these activities may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware across all management interfaces and underscores the need for robust security controls around privileged access to remote management systems.