Cloudanix VulnDB

CVE-2018-1207

Critical · 9.8

CVSS

9.8

EPSS

90.1%

Published

Mar 23, 2018

CISA due date

—

Cloudanix analysis

Schedule a fix SSVC: Attend

A flaw in certain Dell server management tools lets outsiders take full control of the hardware without needing any password.

Weaponized
Exploitation
Remote Unauthenticated
Attacker needs
None
Complexity
Low
Impact
Remote Code Execution
Component
Application
Class
RCE
Remediation
Upgrade
Effort
Medium
Patch risk
Low

What it actually does

CGI injection flaw in the web interface permits unauthenticated remote attackers to supply malicious CGI environment variables that result in arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the iDRAC process.

Why it matters to the business

Successful exploitation grants attackers complete remote control over server hardware management, enabling theft of credentials, firmware tampering, service disruption, or use as a persistent foothold inside data-center infrastructure.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker locates an internet-facing or weakly protected iDRAC web interface, crafts an HTTP request containing injected CGI variables, and causes the server to execute attacker-supplied commands, after which the attacker may install backdoors, pivot to managed hosts, or exfiltrate data.

How to fix it

Upgrade Dell EMC iDRAC7 and iDRAC8 firmware to version 2.52.52.52 or newer; restrict network access to management interfaces until patches can be applied.

How to confirm the fix worked

Query device firmware versions via the iDRAC GUI or racadm command and confirm they are at or above 2.52.52.52; re-test the CGI endpoints with previously successful injection payloads to verify closure.

Typical attack path

  1. Scan for exposed Dell iDRAC7/iDRAC8 web interfaces
  2. Send crafted HTTP request containing malicious CGI variables
  3. Achieve unauthenticated remote code execution
  4. Establish persistence or move laterally to managed servers

How to detect it

Inspect web-server and iDRAC access logs for HTTP requests containing unusual CGI variable names or shell-metacharacter sequences; correlate with successful command execution indicators such as unexpected processes spawned by the web server user.

What your security team should do

  • Prioritize firmware updates for all iDRAC7 and iDRAC8 controllers because weaponized exploits exist
  • Place iDRAC interfaces behind VPN or jump hosts and disable unnecessary remote management exposure
  • Enable and centrally collect iDRAC audit logs for anomalous CGI activity

The record

Dell EMC iDRAC7/iDRAC8, versions prior to 2.52.52.52, contain CGI injection vulnerability which could be used to execute remote code. A remote unauthenticated attacker may potentially be able to use CGI variables to execute remote code.

Affected packages

Ecosystem Package Introduced Fixed

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