CVE-2020-12377
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated users with local access to Intel server hardware to potentially escalate privileges through insufficient input validation in BMC firmware. It affects Intel Server Boards, Server Systems, and Compute Modules with BMC firmware versions before 2.47. Attackers could gain higher-level access to the baseboard management controller.
💻 Affected Systems
- Intel Server Boards
- Intel Server Systems
- Intel Compute Modules
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker gains full administrative control over the BMC, allowing them to manipulate hardware settings, install persistent malware, or disrupt server operations.
Likely Case
Privileged user escalates to BMC administrator, enabling unauthorized configuration changes or firmware manipulation.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to configuration changes that can be detected and reversed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access to BMC interface. No public exploit code available at time of advisory.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: BMC firmware version 2.47 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00434.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download BMC firmware update from Intel support site. 2. Access BMC web interface or use management tools. 3. Upload and apply firmware update. 4. Reboot the server to complete installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict BMC Access
allLimit network access to BMC management interfaces to trusted administrative networks only.
Configure firewall rules to restrict access to BMC IP addresses on ports 443/623
Strengthen Authentication
allImplement strong passwords and multi-factor authentication for BMC accounts.
Set complex passwords for all BMC user accounts
Enable account lockout policies
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate BMC management network from general corporate network
- Implement strict access controls and monitor all BMC authentication attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check BMC firmware version via web interface (System Information) or IPMI commands: ipmitool mc infoCheck Version:
ipmitool mc info | grep 'Firmware Revision'Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm BMC firmware version is 2.47 or higher using same methods📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed authentication attempts to BMC
- Unusual configuration changes in BMC logs
- Privilege escalation attempts in BMC audit logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic to BMC management ports from non-admin sources
- Multiple authentication requests to BMC interface
SIEM Query:
source="BMC" AND (event_type="authentication_failure" OR event_type="privilege_change")