CVE-2023-35861 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A shell-injection vulnerability in email notifications on Supermicro motherboards (such as H12DST-B before 03.10.35) allows remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands as root on the BMC.

Understanding CVE-2023-35861

This section provides insights into the CVE-2023-35861 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, mitigation steps, and preventive measures.

What is CVE-2023-35861?

CVE-2023-35861 is a shell-injection vulnerability that affects email notifications on specific Supermicro motherboards. Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to the execution of arbitrary commands by remote attackers with root privileges on the BMC.

The Impact of CVE-2023-35861

The vulnerability allows attackers to remotely inject and execute commands as root on the BMC, compromising the integrity and security of affected systems. It poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and availability of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-35861

In this section, we delve deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-35861 vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a shell-injection flaw in email notifications on Supermicro motherboards, specifically impacting models like H12DST-B before version 03.10.35. Attackers exploit this flaw to inject and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the BMC.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Supermicro motherboards, such as H12DST-B before version 03.10.35. Systems running these versions are at risk of unauthorized remote code execution and command injection.

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can leverage the shell-injection vulnerability in email notifications to craft and inject malicious commands, enabling them to gain root access on the BMC and compromise the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-35861, including immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Supermicro motherboards to the latest firmware version (03.10.35 or above) to patch the vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attackers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit email notification settings and configurations on Supermicro motherboards.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Supermicro to protect against emerging vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and firmware updates provided by Supermicro promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of the systems.