CVE-2023-31276 in Server Board S2600WF
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2025
Heap-based buffer overflow in BMC Firmware for the Intel(R) Server Board S2600WF, Intel(R) Server Board S2600ST, Intel(R) Server Board S2600BP, before version 02.01.0017 and Intel(R) Server Board M50CYP and Intel(R) Server Board D50TNP before version R01.01.0009 may allow a privileged user to enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the Baseboard Management Controller firmware of several Intel server boards including the S2600WF, S2600ST, S2600BP, M50CYP, and D50TNP models. The flaw exists in firmware versions prior to 02.01.0017 for the S2600 series and R01.01.0009 for the M50CYP and D50TNP series, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by privileged local users. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which occurs when more data is written to a heap-allocated buffer than it can accommodate, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The BMC firmware serves as a critical management interface for server hardware, providing out-of-band management capabilities that are essential for system monitoring, configuration, and remote administration functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a privileged local user to leverage the heap overflow condition within the firmware environment. This scenario typically involves an attacker who already has local access to the system with elevated privileges, which can be achieved through legitimate administrative access or other pre-existing compromise vectors. The buffer overflow allows for memory corruption that can be manipulated to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially enabling privilege escalation from a local user to root or administrative privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning because BMC firmware operates at a low system level and often runs with elevated privileges, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for system security. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under T1068, where adversaries leverage software flaws to gain elevated privileges, and T1059 for potential command execution capabilities that may follow from successful exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can compromise the integrity of the entire server management infrastructure. Since the BMC firmware controls critical hardware functions including power management, system monitoring, and remote access capabilities, a successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized control over these functions. The vulnerability's presence in multiple server board models indicates a widespread potential impact across Intel's server product line, affecting organizations that rely on these platforms for data center operations. The heap overflow condition creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into the firmware environment, potentially leading to persistent backdoors or complete system compromise. Organizations with these vulnerable systems are at risk of unauthorized access to their server management interfaces, which could result in data breaches, system availability issues, or further lateral movement within network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates to the latest versions that address the heap overflow condition. System administrators must ensure that all affected server boards receive the appropriate firmware patches, which typically include memory bounds checking and improved input validation mechanisms. The patching process should be conducted carefully, as BMC firmware updates can potentially disrupt system availability and require careful planning. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to BMC management interfaces and ensure that only authorized personnel have local access to these systems. Additional security controls including monitoring for unusual BMC activity, implementing secure remote access protocols, and maintaining detailed audit logs of BMC interactions can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of firmware security and the need for regular security assessments of embedded system components, particularly those with elevated privilege requirements and remote access capabilities.