CVE-2023-22443 in Server Board BMC
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2023
Integer overflow in some Intel(R) Server Board BMC firmware before version 2.90 may allow a privileged user to enable denial of service via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22443 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Intel server board baseboard management controller bmc firmware versions prior to 290. This vulnerability specifically affects the firmware component responsible for managing and monitoring server hardware through the baseboard management controller interface. The integer overflow occurs when processing certain input values that exceed the maximum representable value for the integer data type, leading to unexpected behavior in the firmware's memory management and control operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the firmware's processing routines. When a privileged local user provides specially crafted inputs that trigger integer overflow conditions, the firmware's memory allocation and buffer handling mechanisms become compromised. This flaw is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound, which occurs when an operation on an integer value produces a result that exceeds the maximum value that can be represented by the data type. The vulnerability manifests in the BMC firmware's handling of specific control parameters that are processed without proper bounds checking, allowing the overflow condition to propagate through the system's operational logic.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for server infrastructure security and availability. A privileged user with local access to the server can exploit this flaw to induce a denial of service condition that affects the baseboard management controller's functionality. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as the BMC firmware controls critical system monitoring, remote management capabilities, and hardware health reporting functions. When the integer overflow occurs, it can cause the BMC to crash, restart unexpectedly, or enter an inconsistent state that prevents proper system monitoring and remote administration. This compromise directly affects the server's ability to maintain operational integrity and can potentially provide attackers with opportunities to escalate their privileges or disrupt critical infrastructure services.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2023-22443 primarily involves updating the affected Intel server board BMC firmware to version 290 or later, which includes patches that address the integer overflow conditions in the firmware's input processing routines. Organizations should implement comprehensive firmware update procedures that include proper testing in controlled environments before deployment to production systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1072 for application deployment, as it requires firmware-level modifications to remediate the integer overflow condition. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring procedures to detect unusual BMC behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts, and maintain strict access controls to limit local privileges that could be leveraged to trigger the vulnerability. The remediation process should also include verification of the firmware update installation through proper integrity checking mechanisms to ensure the patches have been successfully applied and are functioning as intended.