CVE-2022-42278 in BMC
Summary
by MITRE • 01/13/2023
NVIDIA BMC contains a vulnerability in SPX REST API, where an authorized attacker can read and write to arbitrary locations within the memory context of the IPMI server process, which may lead to code execution, denial of service, information disclosure and data tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42278 resides within NVIDIA's Baseboard Management Controller implementation, specifically affecting the SPX REST API component that facilitates remote management of hardware systems. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the IPMI server process architecture, where proper input validation and access controls have been compromised. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied parameters within the API endpoints, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate memory access patterns through crafted API requests. The SPX REST API serves as a critical interface for system administrators to perform remote diagnostics and configuration tasks, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who have already gained authorized access to the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an attacker leveraging legitimate API access to construct malicious requests that bypass normal memory boundary checks. Through careful manipulation of API parameters, the attacker can cause the IPMI server process to read from or write to arbitrary memory locations, effectively breaking the process isolation that should protect system integrity. This memory corruption capability creates multiple attack vectors including code execution within the privileged IPMI context, which could allow for complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can also facilitate denial of service conditions by corrupting critical system memory structures or enable information disclosure through memory reads that access sensitive data. Data tampering capabilities further amplify the threat as attackers can modify system configuration parameters or runtime data that controls hardware behavior.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to enterprise infrastructure security, particularly in environments where remote management access is required for system maintenance and monitoring. The fact that exploitation requires only authorized access makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by insider threats or compromised legitimate users. The attack surface is expanded by the widespread deployment of NVIDIA BMC solutions in data centers, enterprise servers, and network infrastructure equipment, potentially affecting thousands of systems. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and the attack patterns resemble those documented in MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and control through legitimate system interfaces. Organizations utilizing affected NVIDIA BMC implementations must consider the potential for persistent backdoor establishment and the possibility of lateral movement within network segments that rely on these management interfaces for system monitoring and control.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through NVIDIA's security updates and firmware releases. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the SPX REST API to only authorized administrative networks. Regular monitoring of API access logs for anomalous parameter patterns and memory access behaviors should be established as part of incident response protocols. Security teams should also consider implementing additional authentication layers and privilege separation mechanisms to reduce the impact if the vulnerability is successfully exploited. The vulnerability's characteristics align with the need for robust input validation practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and similar security frameworks, emphasizing the importance of defense-in-depth strategies that address both perimeter and internal security controls.