CVE-2022-28636 in iLO 5
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
A potential local arbitrary code execution and a local 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 locally exploit this vulnerability 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. A successful attack depends on conditions beyond the attackers control. 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
This vulnerability exists within HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5) firmware versions prior to 2.71, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the isolation mechanisms designed to protect sensitive system functions. The issue manifests as a local privilege escalation vulnerability that allows unprivileged users to execute arbitrary code within isolated processes, effectively compromising the security boundaries that separate critical system components from regular user access. This represents a fundamental failure in the firmware's security architecture where the isolation model is bypassed, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution in protected environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the iLO 5 firmware's isolated process management system. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges within the isolated process context, potentially leading to complete compromise of the system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability's classification as a local arbitrary code execution flaw indicates that the attack requires physical or local access to the system, but does not necessitate network connectivity or remote exploitation capabilities. This places the vulnerability in the CWE-264 category, which encompasses permissions, privileges, and access control issues, specifically targeting the improper control of a resource through access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it creates a complete loss of availability through denial of service conditions within isolated processes. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause system instability and prevent legitimate operations from functioning properly, effectively rendering critical management functions unavailable. This dual nature of the vulnerability - enabling both code execution and denial of service - makes it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors and potential outcomes. The attack conditions require specific environmental factors that may limit exploitability but do not eliminate the risk entirely, making this a persistent threat to system integrity.
Organizations utilizing affected HPE iLO 5 systems must implement immediate remediation measures through the firmware update provided by HPE. The update addresses the underlying access control and input validation flaws that enable the vulnerability, restoring proper isolation boundaries between system processes. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their iLO 5 implementations to identify systems running vulnerable firmware versions and prioritize patching activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing proper access controls for out-of-band management systems. This case highlights the critical need for robust security controls in remote management interfaces and the potential consequences of insufficient isolation mechanisms in enterprise infrastructure. The remediation process should include thorough testing of firmware updates in non-production environments before deployment to ensure operational stability while addressing the security concerns.