CVE-2023-25537 in PowerEdge 14G Server BIOS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/22/2023
Dell PowerEdge 14G server BIOS versions prior to 2.18.1 and Dell Precision BIOS versions prior to 2.18.2, contain an Out of Bounds write vulnerability. A local attacker with low privileges could potentially exploit this vulnerability leading to exposure of some SMRAM stack/data/code in System Management Mode, leading to arbitrary code execution or escalation of privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25537 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw present in Dell PowerEdge 14G server BIOS versions prior to 2.18.1 and Dell Precision BIOS versions prior to 2.18.2. This issue resides within the system management mode of the firmware, creating a significant security risk that could be exploited by local attackers with minimal privileges. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during memory operations within the BIOS firmware implementation, specifically affecting the system management mode where critical system functions are executed with elevated privileges. According to CWE-787, this vulnerability maps directly to out-of-bounds write conditions that can result in memory corruption and potentially arbitrary code execution. The affected systems operate under the assumption that certain memory regions are properly protected during system management mode execution, but this protection is compromised by the flawed memory handling mechanism.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local attacker with low privilege access can manipulate memory operations within the BIOS firmware to write data beyond allocated memory boundaries. This specific flaw allows for the exposure of SMRAM (System Management RAM) stack, data, and code segments which are normally protected from normal execution contexts. SMRAM serves as a secure memory region where system management agents execute critical functions, and its exposure creates a pathway for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability manifests during normal system operation when the BIOS firmware processes certain input parameters or executes specific memory management routines without proper validation of memory boundaries. The impact extends beyond simple memory corruption as the compromised SMRAM access could enable attackers to execute malicious code with system-level privileges, effectively bypassing normal operating system security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for enterprise environments relying on Dell PowerEdge and Precision servers, particularly those running older BIOS versions. Organizations using affected systems face potential compromise of their entire server infrastructure, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover. The local nature of the attack means that attackers do not require network access or complex attack vectors, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where physical access is possible or where insider threats exist. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of the system firmware and the security boundaries that protect against unauthorized code execution, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors or exfiltrate sensitive data from protected memory regions. The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation, and T1014 which addresses rootkit creation through firmware manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-25537 require immediate deployment of firmware updates provided by Dell to BIOS versions 2.18.1 and 2.18.2 respectively for PowerEdge and Precision systems. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and prioritize patching activities based on risk exposure and business criticality. Additional protective measures include implementing firmware integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized BIOS modifications and establishing strict access controls for physical server environments. Network segmentation and privileged access management controls should be reinforced to limit potential attack vectors, while security monitoring should include detection of anomalous BIOS behavior or memory access patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust firmware security practices, as highlighted in industry guidelines such as NIST SP 800-147 and the firmware security recommendations from the Open Web Application Security Project. Regular firmware update policies and vulnerability assessments should be integrated into enterprise security frameworks to prevent similar issues from compromising system integrity and maintain the security posture of critical server infrastructure.