CVE-2024-20365
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary commands through the Redfish API on affected Cisco UCS servers, potentially gaining root access. It affects Cisco UCS B-Series, C-Series Managed, and X-Series servers with insufficient input validation in their Redfish implementation.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco UCS B-Series Servers
- Cisco UCS Managed C-Series Servers
- Cisco UCS X-Series Servers
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker with administrative credentials gains full root control over the server, allowing complete system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Malicious insiders or compromised admin accounts exploit the vulnerability to escalate privileges and maintain persistence within the infrastructure.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and network segmentation, exploitation is limited to authorized administrators, reducing overall risk.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires administrative credentials but involves simple command injection through crafted API requests
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Cisco advisory for specific fixed versions
Vendor Advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-cimc-redfish-cominj-sbkv5ZZ
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review Cisco advisory for affected versions. 2. Download and apply appropriate firmware updates from Cisco. 3. Reboot affected servers after patching. 4. Verify patch application through version checks.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Redfish API Access
allLimit network access to Redfish API endpoints to trusted management networks only
Configure firewall rules to restrict access to Redfish ports (typically 443/HTTPS)
Implement Strong Authentication Controls
allEnforce multi-factor authentication and strict credential management for administrative accounts
Enable MFA for all administrative accounts accessing Redfish API
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected servers in dedicated management VLANs with strict network segmentation
- Implement comprehensive monitoring and alerting for Redfish API access and command execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Cisco UCS firmware version against affected versions listed in Cisco advisoryCheck Version:
Check through Cisco UCS Manager GUI or CLI; specific command varies by platformVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version has been updated to patched version listed in Cisco advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual Redfish API requests with command-like parameters
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful admin login
- Unexpected process execution from Redfish service context
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to Redfish API endpoints
- Command injection patterns in HTTP requests to Redfish endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="redfish" AND (command* OR exec* OR system* OR shell* IN request_body)