CVE-2015-7273
📋 TL;DR
Dell iDRAC 7/8 firmware before version 2.21.21.21 contains an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability that allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files from the filesystem or conduct server-side request forgery attacks. This affects all systems running vulnerable iDRAC firmware versions. Attackers can exploit this without authentication to access sensitive system information.
💻 Affected Systems
- Dell Integrated Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) 7
- Dell Integrated Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) 8
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of iDRAC controller leading to full system control, credential theft, and lateral movement to connected systems
Likely Case
Unauthorized file access exposing configuration files, credentials, and sensitive system information
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and access controls preventing external exploitation
🎯 Exploit Status
XXE vulnerabilities are well-understood and easily weaponized. Public exploit code exists for similar XXE vulnerabilities in iDRAC systems.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.21.21.21 or later
Vendor Advisory: http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/extras/m/white_papers/20441859
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download iDRAC firmware 2.21.21.21 or later from Dell Support. 2. Log into iDRAC web interface. 3. Navigate to Maintenance > System Update. 4. Upload and install the firmware update. 5. Reboot the iDRAC controller when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate iDRAC interfaces from untrusted networks and restrict access to management VLANs only
Access Control Lists
allImplement firewall rules to restrict iDRAC access to authorized management IP addresses only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate iDRAC interfaces from all untrusted networks
- Disable iDRAC web interface and use only out-of-band console access if possible
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check iDRAC firmware version via web interface (Maintenance > System Summary) or SSH (racadm getversion)Check Version:
racadm getversion | grep -i idracVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm firmware version is 2.21.21.21 or later using racadm getversion command or web interface📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual XML parsing errors in iDRAC logs
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful XXE payloads
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing XML entities to iDRAC web interface
- Outbound connections from iDRAC to unexpected external systems
SIEM Query:
source="idrac*" AND ("XML" OR "XXE" OR "ENTITY") AND status=200