CVE-2023-25533 in DGX H100 BMC
Summary
by MITRE • 09/20/2023
NVIDIA DGX H100 BMC contains a vulnerability in the web UI, where an attacker may cause improper input validation. A successful exploit of this vulnerability may lead to information disclosure, code execution, and escalation of privileges.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25533 affects the NVIDIA DGX H100 Baseboard Management Controller BMC, representing a critical security weakness within the web-based user interface component. This BMC serves as the primary management interface for the DGX H100 system, providing remote access capabilities for administrators to monitor and control the high-performance computing hardware. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web UI, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise the entire system infrastructure.
This flaw falls under the category of improper input validation, which is classified as CWE-20 by the Common Weakness Enumeration system, and represents a fundamental security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious data into the system through web interface inputs. The vulnerability exists within the BMC's web UI processing logic, where user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized or validated before being processed by the underlying system components. The lack of proper input validation creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the web interface to execute unauthorized operations, potentially leading to a complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables multiple attack vectors that could severely compromise the DGX H100 system's security posture. Successful exploitation could result in information disclosure, where sensitive system data, configuration details, and potentially confidential research data could be accessed by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability also allows for code execution capabilities, enabling attackers to run arbitrary commands on the BMC system, potentially leading to complete system takeover. Furthermore, privilege escalation becomes possible through this weakness, allowing attackers to gain elevated access rights that would normally be restricted to authorized administrators, thereby undermining the system's access control mechanisms.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to command and control operations, privilege escalation, and initial access through web application attacks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the BMC infrastructure, using it as a foothold for further network exploration and lateral movement within enterprise environments where DGX systems are deployed. The attack surface becomes particularly dangerous given that BMC systems often operate with high privileges and maintain access to critical system functions.
Organizations utilizing NVIDIA DGX H100 systems should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from NVIDIA, network segmentation of BMC access, and implementation of strict access controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs within web applications, particularly in management interfaces that operate with elevated privileges. Security teams must also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous BMC traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of BMC implementations should be conducted to identify similar validation weaknesses that could compromise other system components within the broader infrastructure ecosystem.