CVE-2024-45656 in Flexible Service Processor
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2024
IBM Flexible Service Processor (FSP) FW860.00 through FW860.B3, FW950.00 through FW950.C0, FW1030.00 through FW1030.61, FW1050.00 through FW1050.21, and FW1060.00 through FW1060.10 has static credentials which may allow network users to gain service privileges to the FSP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-45656 affects IBM Flexible Service Processor firmware versions spanning multiple release branches including FW860.B3, FW950.C0, FW1030.61, FW1050.21, and FW1060.10. This represents a critical security weakness where static credentials are embedded within the firmware, creating persistent authentication mechanisms that remain unchanged across deployments. The affected FSP firmware versions are designed to provide remote management capabilities for IBM Power Systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments that rely on these service processors for system monitoring and administrative functions. The static credential issue directly violates fundamental security principles by providing predictable authentication tokens that can be easily discovered and exploited by unauthorized network users.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of hardcoded credentials within the firmware image, which creates a persistent backdoor mechanism for unauthorized access. These static credentials are typically embedded during the manufacturing process and remain unchanged throughout the device lifecycle, providing attackers with consistent authentication methods regardless of system updates or security configurations. The vulnerability allows network-based attackers to gain service privileges to the FSP, which provides access to critical system management functions including firmware updates, configuration changes, and system monitoring capabilities. This weakness enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain unauthorized control over the managed systems, as the FSP serves as a gateway for administrative access to the underlying hardware.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to compromise entire enterprise infrastructure through the service processor. Network users who can reach the FSP management interfaces can leverage these static credentials to perform administrative functions without proper authorization, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple firmware versions across different product lines, indicating a widespread issue that requires coordinated remediation efforts. Organizations utilizing IBM Power Systems with affected FSP firmware are at risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential system manipulation that could disrupt business operations and compromise sensitive information. The static credential nature of this vulnerability means that once discovered, the attack vector remains valid until firmware updates are deployed.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates from IBM to address the static credential vulnerability in affected FSP versions. Organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable firmware versions and implement network segmentation to limit access to FSP management interfaces. Security teams should deploy network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to FSP management ports and consider disabling unnecessary FSP services when possible. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a significant risk under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access. Organizations should also implement robust change management processes to ensure firmware updates are applied promptly and maintain detailed records of FSP configurations to detect potential unauthorized modifications. Additionally, network administrators should enforce strict access controls and consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms for FSP management interfaces where supported by the firmware version.