CVE-2024-38510
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulnerability in Lenovo XClarity Controller (XCC) SSH captive command shell interface. Authenticated XCC users with elevated privileges can perform command injection via specially crafted file uploads, potentially gaining full system control. This affects Lenovo servers with vulnerable XCC firmware versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Lenovo XClarity Controller (XCC)
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker with existing elevated XCC access could execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, compromising the entire server, exfiltrating data, installing persistent backdoors, or pivoting to other systems.
Likely Case
Malicious insiders or compromised administrative accounts could exploit this to gain full control of affected servers, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, or lateral movement.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls, network segmentation, and monitoring, exploitation would be limited to authorized administrators, reducing impact to accidental misuse or targeted insider threats.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires existing elevated XCC access and ability to upload files to the SSH interface.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: XCC firmware version 2.90.230812 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/LEN-156781
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download XCC firmware version 2.90.230812 or later from Lenovo Support. 2. Log into XCC web interface. 3. Navigate to Maintenance > Firmware Update. 4. Upload and apply the firmware update. 5. Reboot the server to complete installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict XCC Access
allLimit XCC administrative access to only necessary personnel and implement network segmentation.
Disable Unused SSH Features
allIf SSH captive command shell is not required, disable it in XCC configuration.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls for XCC administrative accounts and monitor for suspicious activity.
- Segment XCC management network from production networks and implement firewall rules to restrict access.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check XCC firmware version via web interface (System Information > Firmware) or SSH command: 'version'Check Version:
ssh admin@xcc-ip 'version'Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm XCC firmware version is 2.90.230812 or later and test file upload functionality in SSH interface.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads via XCC SSH interface
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful login
- Commands executed with unexpected privileges
Network Indicators:
- Unusual SSH traffic patterns to XCC management interface
- File uploads to XCC SSH port (default 22)
SIEM Query:
source="xcc-logs" AND (event="file_upload" OR event="command_execution")