CVE-2021-25171
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code on HPE Apollo 70 System Baseboard Management Controllers through a buffer overflow in the websetlicensecfg function. Attackers with local access to the BMC can exploit this to gain elevated privileges or compromise the BMC firmware. Only HPE Apollo 70 Systems with vulnerable BMC firmware versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- HPE Apollo 70 System
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of the BMC allowing persistent access, firmware modification, credential theft, and potential lateral movement to connected systems.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to BMC administrative access, allowing monitoring/control of server hardware and potential denial of service.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation and access controls prevent unauthorized local access to BMC interfaces.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access to BMC management interface. Buffer overflow in websetlicensecfg function can be triggered through crafted requests.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: BMC firmware version 3.0.14.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbhf04080en_us
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download BMC firmware version 3.0.14.0 or later from HPE Support. 2. Access BMC web interface or use HPE iLO/SSH. 3. Upload and apply firmware update through maintenance interface. 4. Reboot BMC to complete installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict BMC Network Access
allLimit access to BMC management interfaces to authorized administrative networks only
Configure firewall rules to restrict access to BMC IP on ports 80/443/22/623
Disable Unused BMC Services
allDisable web interface if not required, use serial or dedicated management network
Use HPE iLO configuration to disable web services if not needed
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate BMC management interfaces from general network traffic
- Enforce strong authentication and limit administrative access to BMC interfaces to essential personnel only
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check BMC firmware version through web interface at https://[BMC_IP]/html/index.html or SSH to BMC and check versionCheck Version:
ssh [BMC_IP] 'show /system1/fwversion1' or check web interface System Information pageVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm BMC firmware version is 3.0.14.0 or later through web interface or SSH📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed authentication attempts to BMC web interface
- Unusual process creation or privilege escalation events in BMC logs
- Web server crashes or restarts in BMC system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to BMC web interface on port 80/443
- Multiple POST requests to license configuration endpoints
- Traffic from unexpected source IPs to BMC management interface
SIEM Query:
source="BMC_logs" AND (event_type="authentication_failure" OR event_type="web_server_crash")