CVE-2022-28638 is a high-severity vulnerability discovered in HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5) firmware Version: 2.71. This vulnerability allows for an isolated local disclosure of information and potential isolated local arbitrary code execution. The implications of such vulnerabilities could lead to a significant loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Given the critical nature of this flaw, Hewlett Packard Enterprise has provided updated firmware to address these security vulnerabilities.
With a CVSS score of 7.8, this vulnerability falls into the high severity category, indicating that it poses a considerable risk to organizations using the affected products. The vulnerability status is marked as modified, indicating changes in its risk assessment or remediation status. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential risks associated with this vulnerability.
As of now, there are no public exploits confirmed, which suggests that the vulnerability is not actively being exploited in the wild. However, given the nature of the flaw, organizations should remain vigilant and ensure that they apply the provided firmware updates as soon as possible.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential disruption of services due to arbitrary code execution. The urgency for defenders is high, and organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28638 is characterized by local information disclosure and the potential for arbitrary code execution. It has been rated with a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8, indicating its high severity. The affected product is HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 (iLO 5) firmware Version: 2.71. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 classification, which pertains to information exposure. The discovery was publicly reported on September 20, 2022, and the vendor has since released updated firmware to rectify these security flaws.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user inputs within the iLO 5 firmware, allowing attackers with local access to exploit the flaw. The attack vector is classified as local, meaning that the attacker needs physical or local access to the system to exploit the vulnerability. The attack complexity is low, and it requires only low privileges to perform the attack, with no user interaction required.
The impacts of this vulnerability are significant, as it can lead to high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. If exploited, attackers may gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or disrupt the normal functioning of the affected devices.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2022-28638 is significant, particularly for organizations that utilize HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 for server management. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on affected systems, potentially resulting in data breaches or service disruptions. The blast radius is considerable as many systems may rely on the iLO for critical management tasks.
Organizations should be aware that the CVSS score indicates a high risk level, and thus urgency for remediation is critical. The EPSS score of 0.0013 suggests a low probability of exploitation, but the potential impact remains high due to the nature of the vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected product is HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 firmware, specifically versions prior to 2.72. Organizations using versions below this should apply the firmware updates provided by Hewlett Packard Enterprise to remediate the vulnerabilities.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations must update to the latest firmware version for HPE Integrated Lights-Out 5 to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-28638. Patch information is available through the vendor's advisory. Additionally, organizations should implement network controls to limit access to the iLO interfaces and monitor system logs for any unusual activity that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
For effective defense, consider engaging in penetration testing to identify any other vulnerabilities that may exist in the environment.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts related to this vulnerability, organizations should monitor system logs for any unauthorized access to the iLO interfaces. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected reboots or configuration changes should be investigated promptly. Network signatures indicating unauthorized access attempts, especially from internal networks, should be flagged for review.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2022-28638 highlights the ongoing need for organizations to prioritize firmware updates and security best practices in server management. The isolated nature of the vulnerability suggests that while it may not currently be exploited actively, the potential for misuse remains. Security teams should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs to regularly assess and remediate risks.
For organizations relying on HPE products, understanding the implications of such vulnerabilities is crucial. Regular security assessments, including vulnerability management programs, can help identify and mitigate potential weaknesses in the infrastructure.
Moreover, organizations should consider engaging with experts in penetration testing methodology to ensure a robust defense against future threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

.webp)