CVE-2023-3264 in iBoot-PDU
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2023
The Dataprobe iBoot PDU running firmware version 1.43.03312023 or earlier is vulnerable to authentication bypass in the REST API due to the mishandling of special characters when parsing credentials.Successful exploitation allows the malicious agent to obtain a valid authorization token and read information relating to the state of the relays and power distribution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2023
The Dataprobe iBoot PDU represents a critical network infrastructure device used for power distribution management in data centers and enterprise environments. This device operates with a web-based interface and exposes a REST API for remote management and monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability under discussion affects firmware versions up to and including 1.43.03312023, creating a significant security gap that undermines the device's authentication mechanisms. The affected system employs a REST API that serves as the primary interface for administrative operations, including relay state monitoring and power distribution control, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of special characters during credential parsing within the REST API authentication mechanism. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization processes that fail to properly process or escape special characters present in authentication credentials. When legitimate users submit credentials containing special characters, the system's parsing logic fails to correctly interpret these inputs, leading to a bypass of the authentication layer. The vulnerability specifically affects the credential validation process where the system does not properly sanitize or normalize special characters before authentication checks are performed, allowing attackers to craft malicious inputs that circumvent the intended security controls. This weakness creates a path for unauthorized access where the system incorrectly validates credentials that should otherwise be rejected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system compromise and operational disruption. Successful exploitation enables attackers to obtain valid authorization tokens through the bypassed authentication mechanism, granting them full administrative privileges over the power distribution unit. This access allows malicious actors to read relay state information, monitor power distribution patterns, and potentially manipulate the device's operational parameters. The implications are particularly severe in data center environments where power management is critical for system availability and operational continuity. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause service disruptions, perform power cycling operations, or gain access to additional systems within the network through the compromised device, making this a significant threat to overall infrastructure security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to the latest available versions that address the credential parsing issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks while ensuring that only authorized administrative personnel can access the REST API endpoints. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous authentication patterns and unusual API access attempts, as well as establishing robust logging and audit trails for all administrative activities. Security teams should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms where possible and regularly review access controls to ensure that only necessary personnel maintain administrative privileges. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a variant of the broader class of authentication bypass vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through authentication bypass, potentially enabling lateral movement and persistent access within targeted environments. Organizations must prioritize this vulnerability remediation as part of their overall security posture improvement efforts to protect critical infrastructure components from exploitation by malicious actors.