CVE-2022-42271 in BMC
Summary
by MITRE • 01/11/2023
NVIDIA BMC contains a vulnerability in IPMI handler, where an authorized attacker can cause a buffer overflow and cause a denial of service or gain code execution
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42271 resides within NVIDIA's Baseboard Management Controller implementation, specifically within the IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) handler component. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects the remote management capabilities of NVIDIA hardware platforms, particularly those utilizing BMC for out-of-band management functions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the IPMI protocol handler, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory handling inconsistencies.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as a buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing crafted IPMI commands through the BMC interface. An authorized attacker with access to the management network or physical access to the system can construct malicious IPMI packets that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. This overflow condition can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the BMC context or to induce a system crash that results in denial of service. The flaw exists due to insufficient bounds checking and improper memory management practices within the IPMI handler code, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with controlled data.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-42271 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it provides potential attack vectors for both persistent denial of service and code execution capabilities. In a networked environment, unauthorized access to BMC management interfaces could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges and compromise the integrity of the entire system management infrastructure. This vulnerability directly affects the security posture of enterprise data centers and cloud environments where NVIDIA hardware components are deployed, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access points for further exploitation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that BMC systems often operate with elevated privileges and maintain access to critical system functions.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices regarding memory management and input validation. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands within the BMC environment. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement network segmentation controls to limit access to BMC management interfaces. Additional mitigations include disabling unnecessary IPMI services, implementing strict access controls, and monitoring for anomalous IPMI traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of securing management interfaces in enterprise infrastructure, particularly those components that operate with elevated privileges and maintain persistent network connections. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor memory handling issues within firmware components can create significant security risks that affect entire data center operations. Security teams must implement comprehensive monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous BMC behavior and ensure that all management interfaces are properly secured through authentication, authorization, and encryption controls to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.