CVE-2024-36282 in Server Board S2600ST Family BIOS and Update Software
Summary
by MITRE • 11/13/2024
Improper input validation in the Intel(R) Server Board S2600ST Family BIOS and Firmware Update software all versions may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-36282 resides within the Intel Server Board S2600ST Family BIOS and firmware update software across all versions, representing a critical security flaw that enables privilege escalation through local access. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the firmware update process, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers with local system access to elevate their privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the firmware update component of the S2600ST server board family, which is commonly deployed in enterprise data center environments where server security is paramount. The improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate the update process in ways that bypass normal access controls and authentication mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests when the firmware update software fails to properly validate input parameters during the update procedure, enabling an attacker with local access to inject malicious code or manipulate update files. This weakness creates a direct attack vector that can be exploited by users who already possess local system privileges, potentially transforming their access level from standard user to administrative or root access. The vulnerability operates at the firmware level, making it particularly dangerous as it can persist across operating system reboots and is often difficult to detect through conventional security monitoring. The lack of proper input sanitization and validation allows for arbitrary code execution during the update process, which can be leveraged to gain deeper system access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise server environments where the S2600ST platform is deployed. The ability to escalate privileges through local access means that any attacker who gains initial access to a server can potentially elevate their privileges to full administrative control, compromising the entire system. This is particularly concerning in data center environments where multiple users may have local access to servers, and where the firmware level access can provide attackers with persistence mechanisms that are difficult to detect and remove. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of server platforms by allowing privilege escalation without requiring additional authentication factors.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Intel, as these patches will address the input validation flaws in the BIOS and firmware update software. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege management policies to minimize the number of users with local access to server systems. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual firmware update activities or unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected firmware versions and establish monitoring procedures for detecting potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include verification of firmware integrity through digital signatures and checksum validation to prevent unauthorized modifications to the update process. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials to gain access to systems with elevated privileges.